Vaccinations for travelling to Bali

Bali’s unique culture is a big draw for adventurous tourists from the UK. There’s lots to do, from hitting the beachside party hotspots or learning to surf, to getting into more remote areas to wander among the rice fields, or experience the beautiful temples and historic buildings, practise some yoga and relax.

Before you head off to Bali, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got all the recommended vaccinations to keep you safe while you’re there. This guide walks through all you need to know.

We’ll also introduce the Wise account from the money services provider Wise, as a great way to make your money go further when you’re planning your big trip to Bali. More on that later.

Do I need travel vaccinations in Bali?

Yes. There are a few travel vaccines which you’ll probably want to have before you head off to Bali.

Before you travel, it’s important to take personal travel health advice to make sure you’ve had all the vaccinations you could need. Travel health is pretty individual. While there are some vaccines recommended to all travellers to Bali, there are others which are advised only for some more vulnerable groups, and some which are only really needed under specific circumstances.

This guide walks through the NHS Fit for Travel¹ advice for Bali, but there’s no substitute for personal advice from a medical professional.

What vaccinations are required to get into Bali?

If you’ll be arriving in Bali from a country which has a yellow fever risk, you’ll need to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate. This isn’t needed if you’re flying from the UK to Bali, but if you’re going to Bali via a third country you’ll need to double-check if your yellow fever vaccination is needed.¹

Generally, the countries with a yellow fever risk are in Africa and South America, but it’s worth double-checking the latest advice on this before you travel.²

Anyone staying in Bali for 4 weeks or longer may also be required to show proof of a polio vaccination when leaving the country. The vaccination should have been done in the last 12 months, and you’ll need to present proof if asked by border officials.

Aside from yellow fever and polio vaccinations where relevant, all other vaccinations for Bali are recommendations rather than mandatory requirements.¹

What vaccinations should I get for a trip to Bali?

The vaccinations you need for Bali can vary based on your personal situation, how long you’ll be in Bali for, and what you’ll do while you’re there.

Some vaccines are usually recommended for all travellers, while others are needed more where travellers have underlying health conditions, are travelling for an extended period, or are exposed to specific risks during their visit to Bali.

Let’s look through an overview of the NHS travel advice for Bali.

Standard UK primary vaccines and boosters¹

A smart place to start when planning your travel health, is with the usually UK recommended vaccinations. Many of these vaccinations are usually given to babies and children, but some could still need a booster. Some other vaccinations are only offered to people aged 65 or older.

Common ones you may need to arrange or get boosted include:

• Seasonal flu vaccine
• Covid vaccines
• MMR

Recommended boosters and courses¹

The NHS recommends you get vaccinations or boosters for the following conditions before you travel to Bali:

• Diphtheria
• Poliomyelitis
• Tetanus

Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets, particularly in overcrowded areas. Polio vaccinations are usually given to children - but as you’ll need 5 separate shots to ensure full cover, boosters are often recommended to ensure you’re fully covered against this nasty illness.

Similarly, you may have been vaccinated before for tetanus, but you need 5 shots to give full cover, so this is recommended whenever you travel to a destination where getting immediate and high quality hospital treatment might be tricky.

Optional vaccines¹

Other vaccinations that are commonly recommended for Bali include:

• Hepatitis A
• Rabies
• Typhoid

Hepatitis A is recommended for certain more at risk groups and people with underlying conditions. Rabies vaccination is advised if you’ll be in Bali for a long time, plan to be in a very rural area, or will be working with animals, while Typhoid may be needed if you could find yourself anywhere without safe water to drink.

Finally, at risk groups might also be advised to get vaccinated against the following:

• Cholera
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis

These vaccines are recommended on a case by case basis, depending on whether the traveller has underlying conditions, how long they’ll be in Bali and what they’ll likely be doing there. Your travel health professional or GP can advise you on which - if any - are needed for your trip.

Should I get my vaccinations before I travel to Bali?¹

Yes. The NHS recommends you get travel health advice 6 to 8 weeks before you travel to Bali, to check what vaccinations are required, and to give adequate time to have all the vaccinations and boosters you need before you travel.

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Sources used for this article:

1. NHS - Fit For Travel - Indonesia
2. NHS Fit for Travel - Yellow fever risk areas

Sources checked on date: 11-June-2024.