Travel Vaccinations for Bali

Are you planning on travelling to Bali? This lush island has plentiful activities, from surfing to historical landmarks, scenic beaches, rafting and more.

Before you travel to Bali from Australia, make sure you get up to date on the most important vaccinations for Bali. Speak with a vaccination clinic or medical provider no later than 6-8 weeks before you travel to Bali. This will allow time for cases where multiple Bali vaccines are recommended that require spreading out.

Although Bali is very developed compared to other parts of Indonesia and the rest of the world, there are a range of illnesses you may be exposed to during your travels.

Pre-travel Preparation Will Help Protect Your Health While You Are Away

Pre-travel preparation will help keep you safe and healthy while you are away. Please consult the Travel Doctor-TMVC before you travel overseas. We will provide specific recommendations tailored to your itinerary, including any mandatory vaccines for travel and any Bali travel alerts. Our doctors will assess and advise you on your risks, and recommend appropriate vaccination and medication to minimise your risk of becoming seriously unwell on your trip.

Insect Avoidance

There are a number of viruses and illnesses that are contracted through insects such as fleas, ticks and flies. Mosquitoes however are the biggest culprit of spreading insect borne diseases. Ensure you a prepared and read up on our insect avoidance tips.

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Safe Eating and Drinking Practices

One of the great pleasures of travel is sampling the local cuisine. However, contaminated food and beverages are a common cause of traveller’s diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal illnesses. Safe eating and drinking practices are essential in minimising your risk of contracting traveller’s diarrhoea.

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Rabies Prevention

Avoid physical contact with all domestic or wild animals in any setting unless you are absolutely certain the animal has been well vaccinated. The need for vigilance, particularly when travelling with children, cannot be understated. If bitten, wash the wound gently but thoroughly with soap and water for at least fifteen minutes.

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What vaccinations do I need for Bali?

Your medical provider will go over your health history, Bali travel plans and other details to determine the specific vaccinations that you will need when travelling to Bali from Australia.

Below are some of the most important routine vaccinations for Bali that you may be asked to receive before you head out:

Measles-Mumps-Rubella
Most people receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in childhood in first world countries, but you may need to receive an initial vaccination or a booster of your MMR vaccination before you travel to Bali.
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
You should be brought up to date on your routine vaccinations before you travel to Bali including diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. You may be recommended to receive a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (TdapdTpa ) vaccination or booster before you travel, especially if it has been more than 10 years since your prior vaccination.
Polio
You may be required to receive a polio vaccination if you travel to Indonesia. Even if you received a polio vaccination as a child, you may need to receive a polio booster as an adult if you haven’t received a booster in the past. You may also need to provide proof of a polio vaccination when you are exiting Indonesia if you are staying there for longer than 4 weeks.
Influenza
You should get your annual influenza vaccination prior to travelling to Bali as the prevalent strain changes from year to year and doing so will help you avoid the risk of getting the flu while travelling or staying in Bali.

Additional potential vaccinations for Bali

These are additional vaccinations for Bali which may be recommended depending on where you are traveling, the length of your stay and other factors:

Hepatitis A
This is a viral illness which can be spread by contaminated food and water or through contact with infected people. Because it can be spread so many ways and is a common travel related illness, you will be strongly recommended to receive a hepatitis A vaccination before you travel to Bali.

Typhoid
This illness is linked to a bacterium called Salmonella typhi which can be spread through contaminated food or water. It can be transmitted by people without knowing it. If you plan on staying for a while in Bali or eating street food, you may be strongly recommended to receive this vaccination; in other cases, it may not be needed.

Rabies
There have been previous rabies outbreaks in Bali (in 2008 and 2010) mainly due to bites from dogs. Rabies is a serious and fatal illness, yet since the recent outbreaks in Bali there have been strict measures adopted to reduce the risk of rabies by the local government. You may still be advised to receive a Rabies vaccination depending on your travel plans and health needs.

Yellow Fever
A yellow fever vaccination may be required by the Balinese government if you have recently travelled in an area with a high rate of yellow fever infection, otherwise it will not be required. It is not required for travel from Australia.

Japanese Encephalitis
This mosquito borne illness has potentially serious symptoms, and although the risk for most travellers to Indonesia is quite low, you may need to receive a vaccination if you plan on staying in the country one month or longer, or if you are staying in regions with higher rates of Japanese encephalitis. The activities you plan to undertake, season, as well as accommodation will all be taken account when this vaccine is considered.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can be spread through sexual contact, sharing personal items or bodily fluids and is a viral illness that affects the liver. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to avoid interactions that could spread the virus and also receive a vaccination before you travel. Hepatitis B is now considered a routine vaccination and many people under 30, in Australia, have had this as part of the standard vaccine schedule.

Other potential health risks for travel to Bali

As a general rule, do everything possible to limit your exposure to mosquito bites, follow safe food and drink consumption practices, carry hand sanitizer with you and wash your hands frequently, and do not drink untreated water. These are some additional health risks to consider when travelling to Bali:

Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is relatively common on Bali, and this mosquito transmitted viral illness can be mild to serious. There currently is no vaccination available or treatment, making it critical to do everything possible to prevent mosquito bites including wearing insect repellent, long sleeved pants and shirts, using mosquito netting when possible and practical, and ensuring your doors and windows have insect screens. The mosquitoes that spread this disease bite mainly from dusk to dawn.
Traveller’s Diarrhoea
Also nicknamed “Bali belly,” traveller’s diarrhoea affects many people. It typically does not last longer than a few days, but you should go to a doctor if your symptoms persist beyond 48-72 hours. To help avoid getting this be sure to only dine at sanitary and well-known destinations and practice good hygiene habits like frequent hand washing. You may consider taking medications with you when travelling to Bali to manage diarrhoea if you were to get this. Discuss this with your doctor prior to leaving.

Do you need vaccinations for Bali?

You may be advised to receive these and other vaccinations for before you depart to travel to Bali, so make sure to schedule an appointment with a vaccination clinic or your medical provider as soon as you know you are going to travel to Indonesia.

Remember to start scheduling your vaccinations for Bali 6-8 weeks before you leave from Australia. Stay safe, practice good hygiene habits, get all the recommended vaccinations for Bali from Australia, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and beaches of Bali!

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