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The Ultimate Indonesia Travel Vaccine Checklist: What You Need and When to Get It
Indonesia has so much to offer, from Bali’s beautiful beaches and temples to volcano treks, island-hopping adventures and encounters with wildlife. But before you set off exploring, it’s worth taking a little time to think about your travel health.
As a travel health nurse, I want to make sure you know which vaccinations to consider, how far in advance to book them and whether any are required for entry. The good news is that getting the right advice before you travel can make preparing for your trip much simpler.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the recommended vaccinations for Indonesia, when to get them and how to make sure you’re ready for your adventure.
In this post we explore:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Indonesia
The vaccinations you need for Indonesia will depend on where you’re going, how long you’re staying and what you plan to do while you’re there. Your medical history and previous vaccinations are also important when deciding what’s right for you. For example, your vaccination needs may be different if you’re spending a week relaxing at a beach resort in Bali compared with a month exploring rural areas, trekking or travelling between islands. That’s why it’s always worth getting individualised travel health advice before you go.
Here are the vaccinations we recommend you consider before travelling to Indonesia:
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio
In the UK, five doses of the combined diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccine are recommended as part of the routine vaccination schedule. It’s worth checking your vaccination record before you travel, as a booster may be recommended depending on your vaccination history and destination. The combined booster is available free on the NHS, and we can also provide it at Health Klinix. See our tetanus vaccination page.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
If you haven’t had two doses of the MMR vaccine, it’s worth checking whether you need to catch up before travelling. The CDC recommends that all international travellers be fully vaccinated against measles before departure. The MMR vaccine is free on the NHS if you haven’t already had two doses. Your travel health consultation is a good opportunity to check your vaccination history. Find out more on MMR vaccination.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and can be caught through contaminated food, water or through infected people handling food. It’s common in Indonesia, so the hepatitis A vaccine is worth considering before travel. The vaccine is generally well tolerated, and a second dose, usually given 6 to 12 months after the first, provides longer-term protection. If you haven’t had the vaccine before, check with your GP whether it’s available free on the NHS. Find out more on hepatitis A and B vaccination
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood and body fluids, including contaminated needles, medical and dental equipment, tattoos and piercings. The risk is higher with longer or repeat stays, and if you need medical treatment while you are away. A combined hepatitis A and B vaccine is also available, which means fewer jabs.
Typhoid
Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water, in areas of poor sanitation. The typhoid vaccine is worth having if you plan to eat out regularly, visit rural areas or stay with friends and relatives. It’s free on the NHS, and it’s also available as an injection or oral capsules privately. Speak to our travel health team about which option suits you. Learn more about typhoid vaccination.
Rabies
Rabies is present in Indonesia and remains a significant public health concern, particularly in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that rabies is endemic in 26 of Indonesia’s 38 provinces. Bali continues to face challenges controlling rabies, partly due to its large population of free-roaming dogs. Rabies vaccination before travel is worth discussing if you’re planning activities such as running or cycling, travelling to remote areas where medical care may be difficult to access, or staying for an extended period. It may also be worth considering if you’re travelling with children. Your travel health consultation is a good opportunity to discuss your itinerary and decide whether vaccination is appropriate for you.
If you’re bitten or scratched by an animal, or its saliva comes into contact with broken skin or your eyes or mouth, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention locally. Don’t wait until you return to the UK, even if you’ve already been vaccinated. Pre-travel vaccination simplifies the treatment needed after a potential exposure, but it does not replace the need for urgent medical assessment and further treatment.
Read our guide on what to do after a dog bite and the rabies vaccine, or visit our rabies vaccination page for more information.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, which are most active between dusk and dawn. The risk is generally higher in rural areas, particularly around rice fields and pig farms.
The risk increases with longer trips to affected areas, while the risk for short trips to urban areas is generally low. However, outbreaks and sporadic cases can also occur in urban areas. In 2026, Taiwan reported 10 confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis, including six in Taoyuan City, highlighting that the risk is not always limited to rural areas.
Whether vaccination is appropriate depends on your itinerary, length of stay, travel season, planned activities and individual circumstances. Our travel health professionals can assess your risk and advise whether the Japanese encephalitis vaccine is suitable for your trip. Find out more about Japanese encephalitis vaccination.
Cholera
Cholera is an infection spread through food and water contaminated with the bacteria that cause the disease. Although the risk varies across Indonesia, outbreaks can occur, particularly in areas with limited access to safe water and sanitation.
Cholera vaccination is worth discussing before your trip, especially if you’re backpacking or planning a longer stay. Your travel health consultation is an opportunity to assess your itinerary and decide whether vaccination would be beneficial for you. Learn more about cholera vaccination.
Are There Any Mandatory Vaccines for Indonesia?
If you’re travelling directly from the UK to Indonesia, you don’t usually need to show proof of vaccination for entry. However, there are some requirements to be aware of, depending on your travel route.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. This may apply if you travel to Indonesia from certain parts of Africa or South America. Check your full itinerary and the latest entry requirements before departure. For more information, visit our dedicated yellow fever vaccination page.
Polio vaccination requirements can also apply to travellers leaving countries affected by polio transmission.
How Many Weeks Before Travelling to Indonesia Should I Get Vaccinated?
The golden rule is to book early. We recommend aiming for 4 to 6 weeks before you travel to give your vaccines enough time to become effective and provide the best possible protection during your trip. Some vaccines require multiple doses, so booking early helps ensure you have time to complete the recommended course before departure.
These are the standard courses, but there are accelerated courses that can be given:
Vaccine | Standard Course | Faster Options |
Rabies | 3 doses on days 0, 7 and 28 | Accelerated course: third dose on day 21. Rapid course: days 0, 3 and 7, with a fourth dose at 12 months |
Japanese encephalitis | 2 doses, 28 days apart | 2 doses, 7 days apart (adults aged 18 to 65) |
Hepatitis A | 1 dose before travel, then a second dose 6 to 12 months later | N/A |
Hepatitis B | 3 doses at 0, 1 and 6 months | 0, 1 and 2 months, with a fourth dose at 12 months. For adults 18 and over: days 0, 7 and 21, with a fourth dose at 12 months |
If you’re travelling at short notice, it’s still worth having vaccines. Accelerated courses are available for some vaccines, and you’ll still have some protection. Our travel health professionals can advise on the best schedule for the time you have left.
Where Can I Get My Travel Vaccinations Before Visiting Indonesia?
Some travel vaccinations are available for free on the NHS through your GP, while others need to be paid for privately. These include hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis. Yellow fever vaccination is only available at designated Yellow Fever Centres like Health Klinix. As services can vary between GP surgeries, it’s best to contact your GP early before travelling. Our guide to which travel vaccinations are free on the NHS explains in more detail.
Book Your Vaccines with Health Klinix
At Health Klinix, we offer a full range of travel vaccinations for Indonesia, including vaccines that may be available free on the NHS through your GP. If you’re unable to get an appointment with your GP or prefer the convenience of arranging everything in one place, we can provide all your required travel vaccines privately, including rabies, Japanese encephalitis and many more.
Our travel health professionals will assess your itinerary, medical history and vaccination record to recommend the vaccines and advice suited to your trip.
Learn more about our Indonesia travel vaccinations or book a travel consultation online today.
Health Risks to Be Aware of in Indonesia and How to Protect Yourself
Here are other health risks in Indonesia you should know about:
Malaria: Malaria is spread by mosquitoes. Although malaria vaccines exist, they’re routinely available for travellers. The risk varies across Indonesia, with the highest risk in West Papua. Bali, Java and Lombok are considered low-risk areas, where antimalarial tablets are generally not recommended. Mosquito bite prevention remains important throughout your trip. If you’re unsure whether antimalarial tablets are appropriate for your itinerary, our travel health professionals can assess your risk and offer expert guidance. Learn more on malaria treatment.
Dengue Fever: Dengue is spread by mosquitoes that mainly bite during the day. The main symptoms are fever, joint pain and a rash. The Qdenga vaccine is available in the UK, but its suitability depends on your medical history and whether you have previously had dengue. Speak to our travel health team for an individual risk assessment to see whether vaccination is appropriate for you. Mosquito bite prevention remains essential for all travellers.
Chikungunya: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause fever, joint pain and a rash. It is an important public health concern across many tropical regions, with regular outbreaks worldwide. Vaccination is an important consideration for travellers who may be at risk. Our travel health professionals can assess your itinerary, activities and medical history to determine whether the chikungunya vaccine is appropriate for you. Mosquito bite prevention remains essential.
Zika Virus: There is a risk of Zika virus infection in Indonesia, which is spread mainly by mosquitoes. Infection during pregnancy can cause serious congenital abnormalities in the baby. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, it’s important to receive an individual risk assessment and expert advice from our travel health professionals before travelling.
Food and Water: Tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia. Here's a guide on what is safe and not safe to eat and drink when you're travelling in the tropics. Dr Gowda, our expert consultant, has also written a comprehensive article on what to pack in your travel health kit and how to make water safe and free of microorganisms.
Fresh Water: Try to avoid freshwater swimming in Indonesia as that can put you at risk of not only crocodiles, but also leptospirosis, a serious bacterial infection spread by contact with rat’s urine. Schistosomiasis, a serious parasitic freshwater infection, is also known to occur in Indonesia.
Travel Insurance: It's really important that, first of all, you have travel insurance, and secondly, it's adequate for your needs and your journey. The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, UK (FCDO) has really useful advice on what kind of things you should be thinking about before you buy travel insurance. For example, you should ensure that it covers local treatment and medical evacuation if necessary.
Final Tips for a Healthy Trip to Indonesia
Vaccines will not cover every risk in Indonesia, but they cover some of the most serious ones.
First, make sure you’re up to date with your childhood vaccinations. Then, seek expert travel health advice and book early.
This will ensure you receive the right vaccines and medications that’s specific to your itinerary and individual circumstances.
Ready to Book Your Travel Vaccinations?
It’s quick to arrange and can protect you from serious infections while on holiday. Our team at Health Klinix will make sure you are fully prepared before you travel.
Frequently Asked Indonesia Travel Vaccine Questions
Does Indonesia Require a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate?
Only if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. The rule applies to travellers aged 9 months or over. If you fly directly from the UK, you don’t need one.
Are Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines Necessary for Short Trips to Indonesia?
The risk of Japanese encephalitis is generally low for short-term travellers, particularly those visiting urban areas. However, longer stays in rural areas, especially near rice fields or pig farms, can increase the risk of infection. Japanese encephalitis can cause serious complications, including inflammation of the brain.
Whether vaccination is appropriate depends on your itinerary, length of stay, planned activities and individual circumstances. Our travel health professionals can assess your risk and advise whether the Japanese encephalitis vaccine is recommended for your trip.
Is There a Risk of Cholera in Indonesian Cities?
Cholera is spread through contaminated food and water. The risk is higher in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water, particularly during floods and after natural disasters. However, outbreaks can also occur in established communities without these conditions. Whether cholera vaccination is appropriate for your trip depends on your individual risk assessment, including your destination, activities and access to safe food and water. Our travel health professionals can advise whether the vaccine is suitable for you.
Is a Polio Booster Required for Adults Travelling to Indonesia?
Polio boosters are usually advised, The UK vaccination schedule recommends five doses of the polio vaccine. However, some travellers may need an additional booster depending on their vaccination history and destination. Speak to our travel health team if you're unsure whether you need a booster.
What Happens If You Don't Get Your Vaccinations Before Travelling to Indonesia?
Travel vaccinations are not usually mandatory for travellers from the UK, although polio vaccination requirements may apply in certain circumstances. However, travelling without appropriate vaccinations may leave you at risk of serious vaccine-preventable diseases. If you become ill while abroad, accessing suitable medical care and treatment can be difficult, particularly in rural or remote areas.
Although vaccinations are not usually required for entry into Indonesia, it is important to consider which vaccines are appropriate for your trip following an individual risk assessment with a travel health professional.
I'm Travelling to Other Countries in Asia. Do I Need Different Vaccines?
Yes, possibly. The vaccinations you may need depend on your destination, itinerary, length of stay, planned activities and any current disease outbreaks. A travel health assessment can help you understand the risks and which vaccines may be appropriate for your trip.
To help you determine this, we’ve written dedicated guides to some of our most popular destinations:
Sources and References:
Written by:
Harshika Sutheswaran, Specialist Travel Health Nurse, Registered Nurse, BSc
Approved by:
Consultant Physician in General Internal Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
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