You’re planning your travel to Indonesia and looking for informations that may help provide insights on what to expect. So now you’ve stumbled into our concise, yet informative guide on required vaccines for Indonesia. Congratulations! You’re on the right path towards a safe and responsible globetrotting.
Whether your length of stay in Indonesia be short (≤ 14 days), e.g. for vacation or a business trip, planning a longer stay, or perhaps you’ve even found your significant other halfway across the ocean and intending to stay permanently in Indonesia, this guide on 5 Required Vaccines for Indonesia will surely benefit your travel vaccines inquiries.
Indonesia; A dangerously beautiful archipelago
Stretching across more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a vast tropical expanse where raw nature and ancient traditions coexist in vibrant harmony. From the rice terraces of Bali to the volcanoes of Java, from the Komodo dragons of Flores to the dense rainforests of Kalimantan—Indonesia offers a sensory experience unlike any other.
But this beauty comes with its own set of challenges. Nestled along the equator and the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is both biologically rich and naturally volatile. Its humid tropical climate, abundant wildlife, and densely populated urban centers make it a hotspot for certain infectious diseases that may be unfamiliar—or even forgotten—in many developed countries.
This contrast between awe-inspiring beauty and biological risk is precisely what makes preparation essential. Whether you’re here to surf perfect waves in Mentawai, hike the crater lakes of Kelimutu, or attend a conference in Jakarta, understanding the region’s health landscape is key to enjoying the full wonder of the archipelago—safely.
So yes, Indonesia is dangerously beautiful, but our guide on 5 Required Vaccines for Indonesia will give you the right precautions. That way you can leave the danger to the volcanoes and the Komodo Dragons, not the viruses.
Why Vaccination Matters
Traveling exposes you to new environments, foods, climates, and—importantly—pathogens. Some diseases that are rare or eradicated in your home country may still be present in Indonesia due to its tropical climate, dense population, and rural areas with limited access to sanitation.
Getting your travel vaccines before your trip helps:
Protect you from illness
Prevent you from spreading disease to locals
Avoid unexpected medical costs while abroad
Ensure smooth entry through immigration if vaccines are required
The 5 Required Vaccines for Indonesia
1. Hepatitis A (Hep A)
Disease Overview
- Transmission: Through contaminated food or water, or contact with an infected person.
- Symptoms: Fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), fever.
- Risks if untreated: Hepatitis A usually resolves on its own in three to six months, but severe cases can lead to liver failure, especially in older adults or those with pre-existing liver conditions.
- Why it matters in Indonesia: This sits at the top of our guide to Required Vaccines for Indonesia because prevalence for Hepatitis A is still quite high. Food hygiene and water sanitation may vary significantly across regions—especially in rural areas and small eateries. Even travelers staying in luxury resorts are not fully immune due to potential cross-contamination.
Vaccination Recommendation
- Why: Commonly transmitted through contaminated food and water. Even high-end restaurants aren’t immune to risk.
- Who needs it: All travelers.
- When to get it: At least 2 weeks before travel.
- Recommended Dose:
- Avaxim 160
Adults are given the vaccine in a 2-dose series at 0 and 6 to 12 months; - Twinrix (Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B Combo Vaccine)
– Regular Schedule: Adults may be given the combination HepA and HepB vaccine on a 3-dose schedule: at 0, 1, and 6 months. The first and second doses should be separated by ≥ 4 weeks, and the second and third doses should be separated by ≥ 5 months.
– Accelerated Schedule: Alternatively, the vaccine may be given on an accelerated 4-dose schedule: on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30, followed by a booster 12 months after the first dose.
- Avaxim 160
2. Typhoid Fever
Disease Overview
- Transmission: Ingesting food or water contaminated with Salmonella typhi, typically via poor sanitation.
- Symptoms: Prolonged high fever, abdominal pain, weakness, rash, loss of appetite, and in some cases, intestinal perforation.
- Risks if untreated: Can be life-threatening; may require hospitalization and prolonged antibiotic treatment.
- Why it matters in Indonesia: Similar to why Hepatitis A is at the top of our Required Vaccines for Indonesia guide, Typhoid is endemic across Indonesia. Incidences are high, particularly outside major urban centers. Street food, traditional markets, and untreated drinking water pose a higher risk, making vaccination a smart move for adventurous eaters and long-stay travelers.
Vaccination Recommendation
- Why: Spread through food or drink contaminated by infected individuals. Typhoid is endemic in many parts of Indonesia.
- Who needs it: All travelers, especially those visiting smaller towns or eating local/street food.
- When to get it: At least 7-14 days before travel.
- Recommended Dose:
- Typhim Vi
Children ≥ 2 years old and Adults are given the vaccine as a single dose. Duration of protection is up to 3 years.
- Typhim Vi
3. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
Disease Overview
Transmission:
- Tetanus: Through open wounds exposed to soil or rusty metal (not person-to-person).
- Diphtheria: Airborne droplets or direct contact with infected persons.
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Highly contagious via coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms:
- Tetanus: Muscle stiffness, lockjaw, spasms.
- Diphtheria: Sore throat, fever, thick gray membrane in throat.
- Pertussis: Severe coughing fits, “whooping” sound on inhale.
Risks if untreated:
- Tetanus: Life-threatening spasms, difficulty breathing.
Diphtheria & Pertussis: Severe respiratory complications, especially dangerous for infants and older adults.
Why it matters in Indonesia: TdaP is one of the 5 required vaccines for Indonesia because outdoor activities like hiking or riding scooters in Bali can lead to injuries—raising tetanus risk. Diphtheria outbreaks have occurred in some provinces in recent years, and pertussis still circulates, especially in unvaccinated communities.
Vaccination Recommendation
- Why: Injuries sustained during travel (e.g., hiking or motorbiking) can expose you to tetanus bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are still found sporadically in Southeast Asia.
- Who needs it: All travelers vaccinated with TdaP vaccine more than 10 years ago.
- When to get it: If your last dose was over 10 years ago, get a booster before travel.
- Recommended Dose:
- Boostrix
Children ≥ 10 years old and Adults are given the vaccine as a single dose. Revaccination is recommended every 10 years.
- Boostrix
4. Hepatitis B (Hep B)
Disease Overview
- Transmission: Through blood or bodily fluids—sexual contact, sharing needles, medical/dental procedures with non-sterile equipment.
- Symptoms: Often silent at first. Later signs include fatigue, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice.
- Risks if untreated: Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and lifelong health complications.
- Why it matters in Indonesia: Hepatitis B is prevalent in Southeast Asia. Long-term travelers, those getting tattoos, medical care, or entering romantic relationships should be protected. In some areas, routine medical tools may not always meet international sterilization standards. Thus making Hepatitis B a contender in the top 5 Required Vaccines for Indonesia.
Vaccination Recommendation
- Why: Spread via blood or bodily fluids, with higher risks from medical procedures, tattoos, or sexual contact.
- Who needs it: Travelers planning longer stays, romantic relationships, or medical/dental care in Indonesia.
- When to get it: Ideally, complete the 3-dose series before departure, or as soon as possible upon arrival.
- Recommended Dose:
- Engerix B
Adults are given the vaccine in a 3-dose series at 0, 1, and 6 months; - Twinrix (Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B Combo Vaccine)
– Regular Schedule: Adults may be given the combination HepA and HepB vaccine on a 3-dose schedule: at 0, 1, and 6 months. The first and second doses should be separated by ≥ 4 weeks, and the second and third doses should be separated by ≥ 5 months.
– Accelerated Schedule: Alternatively, the vaccine may be given on an accelerated 4-dose schedule: on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30, followed by a booster 12 months after the first dose.
- Engerix B
5. Rabies
Disease Overview
- Transmission: Bite or scratch from infected animals (dogs, monkeys, bats, or any mammals for that matter), or contact with their saliva through open wounds.
- Symptoms: Fever, tingling or burning at bite site, followed by confusion, aggression, hydrophobia (fear of water), and eventually coma.
- Risks if untreated: Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear.
- Why it matters in Indonesia: Rabies is still endemic in provinces like Bali, Flores, and Sulawesi. Monkeys in tourist areas like Ubud are known to bite, and stray dogs roam freely. You should consider Rabies PrEP among your other Required Vaccines for Indonesia because Post-bite rabies treatment (post-exposure prophylaxis) may not be readily available in remote or rural regions.
Vaccination Recommendation
- Why: Rabies is endemic in Indonesia, especially among dogs, monkeys, and bats. Medical care and rabies vaccines may be limited in remote areas.
- Who needs it: Travelers staying in rural areas, animal lovers, hikers, or those working with animals.
- When to get it: Ideally, complete the pre-exposure series before departure, or as soon as possible upon arrival.
- Recommended Dose:
- Verorab
Rabies Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Series are typically given in 3 doses on days 0, 7, and 21-28.
- Verorab
Travel Vaccines BONUS: COVID-19 & Routine Immunizations
COVID-19
As travel vaccines go, COVID-19 is no longer in the list of required vaccines for Indonesia. Most entry requirements have relaxed, but it’s still strongly advised to be fully vaccinated (including boosters).
Dengue & Malaria
You may consider for Dengue and Malaria to be included in your Travel Vaccines and Prophylaxis Plan depending on where you intend visit. While Dengue is more prevalent in urban areas, Malaria is endemic in all the eastern provinces.
Dengue is transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes which are more active during the daytime. On the other hand, Anopheles mosquitoes transmit Plasmodium sp. are more active at night.
Dengue Fever can be considered to be a part of your travel vaccines plan:
- Children ages ≥ 4 years old and adults can receive 2 doses of Qdenga Vaccine with an interval of 3 months;
- Protection after 2 doses of Qdenga are at least 4-5 years.
While prevention of Dengue Fever can be attained by means of vaccination, prevention of Malaria is currently done via chemoprophylaxis. Drugs of choice include:
- Atovaquone/proguanil 250mg/100mg, taken 1 tablet PO daily, beginning 1-2 days before travel to malaria-endemic area and continued until 7 days after return;
- Doxycycline 100mg, taken 1 tablet PO daily, beginning 1-2 days before travel and continue daily during travel and for 4 weeks after traveler leaves malaria infested area; and
- Mefloquine 250mg, 1 tablet taken per week, start 1-2 weeks before arrival in endemic area, continue 4 weeks after leaving endemic area.
Routine shots:
Other than getting the 5 Required Vaccines for Indonesia, make sure your vaccinations are to up to date on:
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR),
- Polio, and
- Influenza—flu seasons in Indonesia are year round.
Final Tips Before You Fly
- Consult a travel medical clinic 4–6 weeks before your departure;
- Always carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (a.k.a. the Yellow Card) if traveling from or through yellow fever endemic countries;
- Always carry your immunization records for other routine or travel vaccines;
- Consider travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage.
