Travel Vaccines and Advice for East and Southeast Asia

Seoul’s urban amenaties, Japan’s countryside and China’s Great Wall are just a few of the reasons that millions of people visit East and Southeast Asia every year. With a wide variety of cultures, cuisines and historical sites, it is one of the most popular regions to visit.

Passport Health offers medications, immunizations and personalized consultations for your trip to East and Southeast Asia. See our What Vaccines… section to learn more.

Countries in this region include:

What Vaccines Do I Need for East and Southeast Asia?

The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to East and Southeast Asia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and polio.

Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, this includes: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, meningitis.

While rare, polio cases have been sporadicly reported in some parts of the region. While generally a routine vaccination, it may be recommended for your trip.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travellers, based on their specific itinerary.

See the tables below for more vaccination information:

Are There Other Health Concerns in East and Southeast Asia?

There are a few additional health concerns for East and Southeast Asia that are not vaccine preventable.

Malaria is present in East and Southeast Asia. Antimalarial medication may be recommended based on your specific itinerary. Antimalarial resistance is also found in some areas, this may limit your medication options. Speak with a travel health specialist to learn more.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika are found as well. Mosquito netting, repellents and protective clothing may be recommended. Avoid outdoor activities during high times for mosquito activity, especially at dusk and dawn.

Tuberculosis is common in some parts of the region. If you feel you may be exposed during your trip, or have returned and believe you were exposed, TB testing is available. Testing should be done upon return and within eight to ten weeks of the first test for long-term travellers.

Travellers’ diarrhea another common risk for travellers. While new cuisine is always fun to try, it may lead to some unpleasant side effects if not prepared safely. Bring a travellers’ diarrhea kit to help prevent illness and stop symptoms if they start.

 

What Are the Entry Requirements in East and Southeast Asia?

A visa may be required for some popular destinations like China and Cambodia. But, many others have minimal requirements. Check the table below for more information on your destination.

China’s visa rules for Hong Kong and Macau are very different from many other countries. Be sure to check the visa page if you are travelling to any of these regions.

Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.

---