Travel Vaccinations for Cambodia l Gadsventure

Travel medicine is no joke. It is fully recommended that you see your travel health clinic or GP at least 3 months before travelling overseas. Southeast Asia is no different. You need a few good travel vaccinations for Cambodia. Some are strongly recommended, some are recommended and others are optional depending on your sort of trip.

Travel Vaccinations for Cambodia – What Will I Need?

Travel Vaccines are expensive. Granted. And if you are travelling to a cheap place in Southeast Asia, chances are your budget is not huge. However, did you know that 27% of Thais have had Hepatitis A? And you can catch Hep A off a doorknob? I don’t know about you, but getting my travel vaccinations for Cambodia was always at the forefront when planning my trip to this region.

See Your Doctor

Ask your doctor what travel vaccines for Cambodia you will need based on the length and location of your trip, and what kind of activities you will be doing. For example, staying at a resort, volunteering at an animal rescue farm or hiking in the jungle.

Vaccinations for Southeast Asia

You will find vaccinations for Cambodia pretty much the same as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos. So, 3 months before you leave, visit your GP or specialist travel health clinic to see what you will need to keep yourself in your best possible health.

Travel Vaccinations for Cambodia

Hepatitis A

This is the most important vaccine and is often given together with a Typhoid vax in the one shot. The Hep A vaccine is given once and again in 6 months to give 20 years immunity to the disease.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious inflammatory disease of the liver. You can catch Hep A from food and water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person, no matter where you are staying, 5-star to 1. Hepatitis A is highly recommended on your list of travel vaccinations for Cambodia.

Typhoid

Typhoid vaccine is highly recommended as a travel vaccination for Cambodia as you can easily catch it through contaminated food and water. If you are an adventurous eater or staying in rural areas, this is particularly important.

A typhoid shot gives you 3 years immunity and is not given to those under 2 years of age.

Measles, Tetanus and Influenza

Make sure you and your children are up to date with your routine vaccination schedules for Measles, Flu and Tetanus. These diseases are still prevalent in Cambodia.

Hepatitis B

Because this disease is transmitted through blood to blood contact, the vaccination is sometimes recommended. Those participating in ‘at risk’ activities, such as getting tattoos, health workers, sex with new partners, or any medical procedures.

Japanese Encephalitis

This rare but potentially fatal mosquito-borne illness is vaccine preventable. If your trip is going to very rural or to jungle areas and lasting for longer than one month, this may be recommended as one of your travel vaccinations for Cambodia. The course is 3 needles over 3 months.

Malaria

When travelling to Cambodia, the best way to prevent Malaria is through the prevention of mosquito bites. Malaria is not present in the major centres of Phnom Penh or Angkor Wat but is still found in Siem Reap.

Depending on the location of your trip to Cambodia, or if you are sleeping outside, your doctor may recommend malaria prophylaxis using tablets. The course will involve a daily dose before, during and after your trip.

Rabies

Rabies is found in dogs, bats and other mammals in Cambodia. When considering your travel vaccinations for Cambodia, some people are more at risk of rabies than others:

Those doing adventurous activities such as biking, hiking, or caving
Anyone working or volunteering with animals
People taking a longer trip to Cambodia
Children who may approach animals

Rabies is a course of 3 injections delivered either intramuscularly or intradermally. The cost and time frame will vary depending on the mode of delivery. Make sure you visit your doctor 3 months prior to travel.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Cambodia. So this vaccine is not generally recommended when choosing travel vaccinations for Cambodia. However, if you are arriving from a country where Yellow Fever in endemic, you will be required to show proof of immunity on entry.

Vaccine for Yellow Fever is one needle which lasts for 10 years.

Note: There is a current shortage of Yellow Fever vaccine in the US. Please plan well in advance if you are going to need it.

Other Tips to Stay Healthy in Cambodia

Food and Drink

Only eat freshly cooked food that is served steaming hot and drink only bottled water. Avoid runny eggs, and ‘bushmeat’.

Prevent Mosquito Bites

Wear cool long-sleeved clothing especially at dusk and dawn when malaria-carrying mosquitoes are most active. Apply a repellant containing DEET to exposed skin. Spray your room before going to sleep and use a mosquito net.

Avoid Swimming in Fresh Water

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection found in Cambodia’s freshwater lakes and streams. Avoid swimming in fresh water to prevent transmission.

Be Wary of All Animals

Any animal can attack if threatened. Be especially careful of dogs, cats, monkeys and bats and report any injury to a medical team immediately.

Wash Your Hands

If soap and water are not available, use antibacterial hand gel. Especially before eating.

Have a Plan in Case You Get Sick

Know how to find your nearest hospital, phone an ambulance or get an in house doctor.

If you have existing medical problems, have a medical alert bracelet or carry a card with your passport explaining your condition and medications.

After You Get Home

See a doctor immediately if you have a fever or symptoms after returning home. The symptoms of malaria can lay dormant for up to a year!

Travel to Cambodia

If you are travelling to this awesome country, you need to plan for more than your vaccinations for Cambodia.

Visiting Angkor Wat

No visit to Cambodia is complete without seeing the glorious Angkor Wat temple complex. Here is all you need to know BEFORE you go:

Angkor Wat in 3 Days
Angkor Wat Without Tourists (A Secret Way to Have it All to Yourself)
Rules for Visiting Angkor Wat

Cambodia Guidebook

We always use the Cambodia Lonely Planet to help us find our way around the country. Get yours here.