The travel vaccinations you need for Asia often include hepatitis A, typhoid and a diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster, with hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis also being common. However, which ones depend on the countries you’re visiting, how long you’re staying and what you plan to do while you’re there.
A travel health consultation is the most reliable way to confirm exactly which vaccines you need when travelling to Asia.
Which Travel Vaccinations Are Recommended for Asia?
The vaccines below are commonly recommended for travel to parts of Asia.
| Vaccine | When it may be recommended |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Spread through contaminated food and water. It is one of the most commonly recommended vaccines for travellers heading to Asia. |
| Typhoid | Also spread through food and water. It may be recommended if you’re staying somewhere with less reliable sanitation. |
| Diphtheria, tetanus and polio | Many adults may be due a booster if it has been more than 10 years since their last vaccination. |
| Hepatitis B | May be recommended for longer stays, medical or aid work, or trips where you may need medical treatment while away. |
| Rabies | May be recommended if you’ll be around animals, cycling, trekking or travelling somewhere remote with limited access to medical care. |
| Japanese encephalitis | Spread by mosquitoes and mainly a risk in rural, rice-growing or wetland areas, particularly during longer stays. |
| Cholera | May be considered for certain travellers and destinations, particularly where there are outbreaks or poor sanitation. |
| Meningitis ACWY | Particularly relevant for travellers undertaking Hajj or Umrah in Saudi Arabia |
This list isn’t the same for every traveller. Our nurse can confirm exactly which vaccines apply to your itinerary during a travel vaccination consultation. Here, you can discuss your itinerary and activities that may change what’s recommended for you.
What Vaccinations Do I Need for Different Parts of Asia?
Vaccine recommendations vary considerably across Asia, even between neighbouring countries.
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for India?
For India, all travellers need to be vaccinated against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Hepatitis B and rabies vaccines may also be recommended depending on your activities and length of stay. Japanese encephalitis may be recommended for certain rural or longer trips.
If you’re travelling to rural areas of India, you may also be advised to take antimalarial tablets and use mosquito bite prevention to reduce your risk of malaria.
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for Thailand?
For Thailand, commonly recommended vaccines include hepatitis A, typhoid and routine vaccinations, with hepatitis B where appropriate. Rabies and Japanese encephalitis may also be recommended for certain rural or longer stays. A short resort holiday and several weeks backpacking through rural Thailand aren’t necessarily the same risk profile, so your itinerary changes which vaccines apply to you.
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for Vietnam?
For Vietnam, commonly recommended travel vaccines include hepatitis A, typhoid and routine vaccinations, with hepatitis B where appropriate. Rabies and Japanese encephalitis may also be recommended, depending on your itinerary and how much time you’ll spend in rural areas.
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for Bali and Indonesia?
When travelling to Bali and the wider Indonesian archipelago, you may need vaccines for hepatitis A and typhoid and ensure routine boosters like tetanus, diphtheria, and polio are up to date. Rabies, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis may be recommended for particular itineraries.
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for Cambodia?
For Cambodia, commonly recommended vaccines include hepatitis A, typhoid and routine vaccinations, with hepatitis B where appropriate. Rabies and Japanese encephalitis may also be recommended for certain travellers, particularly during longer or more rural itineraries.
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for Japan?
Japan has no mandatory vaccine entry requirements for regular international tourists. However, it’s important to make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for China?
Vaccine recommendations for China depend heavily on the areas you’ll visit and what you’ll be doing there. Commonly recommended vaccines include hepatitis A, typhoid and routine vaccinations, with hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis considered for longer, rural or more remote itineraries.
Do I Need Japanese Encephalitis for Asia?
Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that affects the brain. It’s spread by mosquito bites, mainly from mosquitoes that breed in flooded rice fields and stagnant water in rural areas.
The infection occurs across parts of Asia, particularly South and Southeast Asia, and is more common during the rainy or monsoon season when mosquito numbers rise.
Rural travel tends to increase exposure, especially when travelling through rural rice-farming regions. Alongside vaccination where recommended, covering up and using a good insect repellent reduces your risk further.
We offer the Japanese encephalitis vaccine at The Oakley Medical Practice as part of our travel vaccinations service.
Do I Need Rabies Vaccination for Asia?
Rabies vaccination may be recommended for travel to Asia if you’re:
- Spending a long time abroad
- Backpacking
- Visiting rural areas
- Working with animals
- Cycling or trekking
- Travelling somewhere access to prompt medical treatment may be limited
Having the rabies vaccine doesn’t mean you can ignore a bite or scratch from an animal. Medical attention is still needed after any potential exposure, even if you’ve been vaccinated.
Do I Need Hepatitis A and Typhoid Vaccinations for Asia?
Hepatitis A and typhoid are both spread primarily through contaminated food and water, which is why they’re commonly recommended together for travel to many parts of Asia.
Hepatitis A affects the liver and can cause symptoms lasting several weeks. Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can become serious without treatment, and it’s particularly relevant to certain destinations and travel conditions.
Being vaccinated doesn’t replace good food and water hygiene. It’s still worth taking care with drinking water, food preparation and hand hygiene throughout your trip.
When Should I Have My Travel Vaccinations Before Going to Asia?
Book a travel vaccination consultation around 6 to 8 weeks before your trip to Asia.
This gives enough time because:
- Some vaccines need more than one dose.
- Some take time to build up protection.
- You may need a booster.
- Your itinerary may mean additional vaccines are recommended.
- You may need time to arrange malaria tablets or other travel health advice.
What if I’m travelling in less than 6 weeks?
It’s still worth arranging a travel health consultation if you’re leaving in less than six weeks. Some vaccines can be given shortly before travel, while certain vaccination courses can be accelerated when appropriate.
Do Children and Older Travellers Need Different Vaccines for Asia?
Most travel vaccines are suitable for children and older adults, though the type, timing and dose may need adjusting. Before travelling to Asia with children, check their childhood vaccinations are up to date, particularly MMR, alongside any travel-specific vaccines. Older travellers, or anyone with an ongoing health condition, should mention any medication or medical history at their consultation, as this can affect which vaccines are suitable.
How Do I Book Travel Vaccinations for Asia?
Booking is straightforward. At The Oakley Medical Practice, your travel vaccine consultation starts with a review of your itinerary, medical history and previous vaccinations. Following this, our nurse can recommend and administer the vaccinations you need.
We’re a MASTA-affiliated travel clinic and a NaTHNaC-approved Yellow Fever vaccination centre, offering hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, cholera and more, all under one roof.
For a wider look at travel vaccinations beyond Asia, see our Ultimate Guide to Travel Vaccinations for 2026 Travellers.
