Health · 5 min read · June 2026
What Vaccinations Do You Need Before Moving to Southeast Asia?
Core vaccinations recommended for Southeast Asia — covering Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan — are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Tetanus. For Bali and Indonesia specifically, also consider Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis if you'll be there long-term or in rural areas. Malaria prophylaxis is generally not needed for main tourist and nomad areas but may be relevant for rural trekking. Always consult a travel medicine clinic before departure — the following is a guide, not medical advice.
The essential list and why each matters
These are not optional suggestions. These are the vaccinations travel medicine clinics consistently recommend for this region, with reasoning.
- Hepatitis A — transmitted through contaminated food and water; very common risk in SE Asia; two-dose series gives 20+ years protection; no excuse not to have it
- Hepatitis B — transmitted through blood and body fluids; relevant if you need medical care, have any piercings or tattoos done, or have any sexual contact; three-dose series
- Typhoid — food and water transmission; risk is real if you eat at local restaurants and street food stalls (which you should); oral or injectable options
- Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis — standard update if you haven't had one in 10 years; relevant everywhere
- Rabies (Bali and rural Indonesia) — Bali has active rabies in stray dog and monkey populations; a bite or scratch requires immediate treatment; if you're staying 30+ days, pre-exposure vaccination simplifies post-exposure protocol significantly
- Japanese Encephalitis (rural stays and longer stays) — transmitted by mosquitoes; primarily rural risk; relevant if you'll be outside main tourist areas or staying for months
Practical planning notes
Book a travel medicine clinic appointment at least 6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines require multiple doses over weeks (Hepatitis B, Rabies pre-exposure). A GP can give you most of these; a specialist travel clinic has more comprehensive advice for your specific itinerary.
Cost: in the UK, Hepatitis A + B combined series is roughly £80–120. In the US, this varies widely by insurer. In Southeast Asia itself, vaccines are available and cheap, but don't wait until you arrive for the pre-exposure series — you need to start it before you encounter risk.
- Book travel medicine clinic 6+ weeks before departure for a full series if needed
- Bring your vaccination record — some countries require proof for specific vaccines at entry
- Dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) exists but is only recommended for people who have already had dengue once; it's not a general recommendation for first-time visitors
- Check your country's government travel health advisory for current outbreak alerts in your specific destination