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Vaccinations for bali: 
What you need and when

Many people wonder if they need vaccinations for Bali, and the answer is: it depends. It’s not uncommon to travel to Bali without any vaccinations, but we’ll outline what you need to ask your doctor, the vaccinations you might want to consider, and what diseases you should look out for. Continue reading to find out more. 

Visiting your doctor before you go to bali

While there are no specific vaccination requirements for a trip to Bali, the first thing to do if you’re concerned about vaccinations is to visit a travel doctor or your GP at least 6 to 12 weeks before you head off on your trip.

Ideally, before you travel anywhere, you’ll want to make sure all your general vaccinations are up to date. This means checking your childhood vaccinations, because some of these may require boosters.

Vaccinations from childhood may include: tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella, and diphtheria. Importantly, your last tetanus diphtheria should not be older than 10 years.

Before deciding on what vaccinations you might need, your doctor will consider:

  • Your vaccination history
  • Where you're planning to go in Bali 
  • What activities you are interested in doing (such as visiting a zoo) 
  • How long your trip is
  • Where you plan on staying (e.g. a backpacker hotel or 5-star villa). 


By discussing these factors with a doctor, they're able to better understand what vaccinations you might need for your trip to Bali. 

Please note: This checklist and information does not replace medical advice from your doctor. This is general information only.

 
Vaccinations you might want to consider for bali

Some vaccinations that people consider when they go to Bali: 

  • Typhoid: this is linked to salmonella, meaning this is something you may contract from contaminated food or water 
  • Hepatitis A: this viral infection of the liver is one of the most common travel-related diseases worldwide. 


Hepatitis B is also something you need to be prepared for, but this might have been included in your childhood inoculations. 

What other diseases should i look out for in bali?

Aside from the above, there are still other diseases that you need to be mindful of during your trip. While not all of these are covered by medical vaccinations, there are still some precautions you can take to make sure you’re minimising health risks.

Rabies is common in Bali and is spread by animals throughout this tropical location. While it may be tempting to pat every puppy you see, it’s advisable to leave them alone. That’s because dogs are the most common carriers of rabies, with cats and monkeys being a close second.

The best precaution to avoid rabies is stay away from animals, or you may choose to get vaccinated when you visit a doctor.  

Malaria is not a big risk in Bali or the touristy areas of Lombok, but there is a risk of contraction when you’re in the rural areas of Indonesia. BIMC Hospital Bali provides a detailed overview of malaria in Indonesia, and advises tourists to stay covered up and to use mosquito repellent, especially in more remote/less touristy places. 
If you’re concerned about malaria before you head to Bali, you might want to talk to your doctor about anti-malaria tablets.

Dengue Fever is a virus and is transmitted by mosquitoes. People who contract dengue fever can start showing symptoms three to fourteen days after they get bitten. These symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and a rash. Dengue fever is common in Bali, and there are more instances of the disease during the rainy season.

There's no prevention for dengue fever, so you might want to look in to tried and tested insect repellents with higher percentages of DEET. BIMC Hospital in Bali provides an excellent overview of Dengue Fever, which is recommended reading before you leave. 

Check out 1Cover’s Full Guide to Vaccinations.

How long before travelling do i need vaccinations?

Generally, you need to get vaccinated 6-12 weeks before you leave for Bali. This gives your immune system enough time for any vaccinations to take effect and provide maximum protection during your stay in Bali. 

General health and safety tips

Aside from your Bali vaccinations, there are some other essential tips and things you can bring to make your trip to Bali a little safer.

  • Watch out for contaminated water and food. There’s a reason ‘Bali Belly’ is a common phrase. Be wary of street foods that aren’t freshly prepared, and only drink bottled water. Even when brushing your teeth, always use bottled water and avoid drinking from taps.
  • Bring medication such as Gastro-Stop or Imodium for diarrhea and Bali Belly relief
  • Pack hand sanitiser and use it regularly.

 

More Information

Comprehensive Bali Guide

Check out our comprehensive Bali Travel Guide, which provide comprehensive information on how to stay safe and protected while you’re enjoying yourself in Bali!

Vaccinations

If you need more information on vaccinations for other countries, see our Comprehensive Guide to Travel Insurance and Vaccinations.

Medical Hub

Here's where you can find out information on travel insurance & pregnancy, as well as information on pre-existing medical conditions.

 

 

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