Chinese Muslims planning to participate in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca are being offered free H1N1 flu jabs from the government before they go, the China Islamic Association said yesterday.

The offer of a free vaccination was made to all 12,700 pilgrims set to leave on chartered flights to Mecca between Oct 30 and Nov 17. The pilgrims will return from the trip in December.

"The inoculation is voluntary and free," said Wang Guoliang, deputy secretary general of the association.