With any international holiday, especially when travelling with kids, you need to think about Travel Vaccinations.

– Need to Know When to Visit Bali? Read this.

Visit your local Travel Health Practitioner at least 3 months prior to your trip to receive travel vaccinations for Bali. Need to find out more for your upcoming trip?

Disclaimer: this article is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified travel health practitioner. Please seek a professional opinion prior to travel.

For an in depth look at all the different vaccinations you may need internationally, have a read of this post:

• International Travel Vaccinations

If you are only travelling to the Bali region, then the following article is specific to you. Many of the different medications and vaccinations you can get for travel to Indo, depend on the type and length of your trip. For example, if you are staying in a village a long way from any medical attention and volunteering at an animal rescue shelter for 3 months, you will need something more than your standard 2 week vacation in a Bali Villa in the heart of Canggu! You will need some travel vaccinations for Bali.

Find your perfect Bali Villa here.

Which Travel Vaccinations for Bali Do I Need?

Furthermore, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, are a child or elderly, or have any other co-existing medical conditions, you obviously have a different set of needs and are advised to seek alternative advice.

For entry into Bali, you do not legally require these vaccines. Above all, I highly recommend to see a Travel Health Clinic at least 3 months before your holiday. For your peace of mind and for your health I will be listing them in order of the most highly recommended first.

I will tell you about my family’s travel vaccinations for Bali at the conclusion of the article. Make sure you read all the way to the end!

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a virus which affects the liver. It is transmitted via ingestion of food, water or hands which are contaminated with faeces from an infected person. Scarily, the virus can last for several hours even outside the body. This means you can catch it from touching a doorknob! Because I travel with small children, and Hep A is so easy to catch, we will definitely be getting this vaccination! Hepatitis A is found throughout South East Asia.

The Vaccine

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED – The Hepatitis A vaccine is given in 2 doses 6 months apart for lifelong immunity. If you are unsure whether or not you have had this vaccine in the past, have a blood test to check your titre (level of immunity).

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is linked to a type of salmonella and can be transmitted via contaminated food.

The Vaccine

RECOMMENDED – If you are only staying a short while in the popular areas in Bali and eating at busy restaurants then a typhoid vaccine is generally not highly recommended. However, we are staying up to a month and then are going on to more of SE Asia. For us the risk of typhoid is a little higher. The vaccine lasts for 2 years and children and babies under 2 years old are usually not given the vaccination.

You can also get a typhoid/Hep A vaccine combined called Twinrix which is often a cost effective option. This is especially good if you are only doing one short trip. Ask your doctor.

Hepatitis B

Health care workers or sewerage workers, army and other professionals are often given Hep B shots as preventative anyway. Hepatitis B is transmitted via blood and other bodily fluids. Unless you are going to be undertaking ‘at risk’ activities, then it is not highly recommended.

The Vaccine

RECOMMENDED – Hep B vaccine can be given with Hep A over 3 doses at 0, 1 month and 6 months which will give lifelong immunity to both. My husband and I are already immune thanks to our professions. The kids aren’t getting any tattoos on this trip so will not be at risk.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Tetanus/Diptheria other childhood vaccines

This post is really about travel vaccinations for Bali and specific to travel in this part of South East Asia. However it also comes with a level of assumption that you have already had your usual childhood immunisations. I don’t think you would be reading this post if you hadn’t.

Some members of the population do not get immunised as children for whatever reason. If you or your child has not been recipient to the usual vaccination schedule, please see your doctor 6 months prior to travel.

The Vaccines

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Rabies

Infected animals transmit Rabies via their saliva and bite. This will be probably from a dog, and sometimes a monkey or bat.

The Vaccine

RECOMMENDED – I recommend the rabies vaccine if you are going rural or for longer stays. If you have had the vaccine it does not make you immune to the rabies virus. However it gives you an extra 24 hours to seek urgent medical attention after a bit from an infected animal. The vaccination is a course of 3 injections. You still need to get the dreaded injection of the medication directly into the wound once bitten. Ew!

The best advice is to steer clear of animals in Bali, infected or not. And never, ever trust a monkey.

Malaria

This is a mosquito borne illness that can be very serious. Thankfully, the risk of contracting malaria while on holiday in Bali is quite low. If you are spending a lot of time in forested areas or trekking, then you could consider malaria prophylaxis.

Vaccine

RECOMMENDED – There is no vaccine available for malaria, if there were, millions of lives would be saved worldwide. There is however a few different options for malaria preventative medication. These involve a daily or weekly tablet for a period before, during and after your holiday. See your doctor to find out which one will suit you.

Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Zika Virus

Bali is home to some nasty mosquito borne viruses. TRY TO AVOID MOSQUITO BITES.

Vaccine

A vaccine is not available – avoid mosquito bites.

• Use repellant containing DEET
• Spray your room with bug spray before bed each night
• Burn coils or citronella candles at dusk
• Wear long sleeved loose clothing and minimise skin exposure
• Sleep under mosquito netting

Yellow Fever

If you arrive from a Yellow Fever endemic area, you will have to show proof of immunity on entry to Bali.

Other Health Problems

To be honest, the most common problem you are likely going to have in Bali is Bali Belly, otherwise known as diarrhoea.

Vaccine

There is no vaccine for common diarrhoea but you can help your chances with good hand hygiene and safe food choices. The best treatment is to make sure you don’t get dehydrated. Take electrolytes, mix salt and sugar in water with lemon juice or drink coconut water if you don’t have ‘proper’ electrolyte mix. Seek medical assistance. Kids are especially prone to dehydration so please see a doctor at the first sign, before dehydration becomes serious.

Stay Safe on your Bali Trip with Travel Vaccinations

In order to stay safe, please consult your Travel Health Clinic at least 3 months prior to your departure. Don’t take your health for granted and protect yourself and your family where you can. Thanks to other recent trips, we are already immune to Typhoid and Hep A. Our kids are up to date with their childhood vaccinations and we have even had flu shots.

To find out more go visit the Travel Doctor TMVC for up to date health information regarding the country you intend on visiting.

Even if you have had your Travel Vaccinations for Bali, still follow these basic rules:

• Hand hygiene
• Prevention of mosquito bites
• Eating safe food
• Not drinking water out the tap
• Consumption of electrolytes

Ask you taxi driver, housekeeper or concierge for details on the nearest tourist doctor.

Have you ever been sick in Bali?

What type of Travel Vaccination for Bali have you had in the past?

Please leave a comment down below!