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:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for East and Southeast Asia |
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| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
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| Hepatitis A | Contaminated Food or Water |
Recommended for all travellers to most regions. |
| Hepatitis B | Contaminated Body Fluids (Sex, needles, etc.) |
Recommended for all travellers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Contaminated Food or Water |
Recommended for all travellers to most regions. |
| Cholera | Contaminated Food or Water |
May be recommended based on your specific itinerary. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito-borne | May be required based on your specific itinerary. |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Mosquito-borne | Recommended in most countries in region. Highly recommended for specific itineraries. |
| Rabies | Infected Animals | Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Polio | Infected Animals | Generally a routine vaccination. Recommended for some countries in region. |
Recommended Routine Vaccinations for East and Southeast Asia |
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| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) | Wounds or Airborne |
One adult booster of pertussis recommended for most travellers. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Generally recommended for all travellers. Vaccine components change annually. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact or Airborne |
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Recommended for individuals 50+. Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | All individuals 65+ or immunocompromised should receive this vaccine. |
| Meningitis | Airborne or Direct Contact |
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
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.
Do I Need a Passport or Visa for My Trip? |
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| Passport | Tourist Visa | Business Visa | Required Vaccinations |
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| Brunei |  |
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| Cambodia | |
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| China | |
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| East Timor (Timor-Leste) | |
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| Hong Kong | |
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| Indonesia | |
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| Japan | |
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| Laos | |
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| Macau | |
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| Malaysia | |
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| Mongolia | |
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| Myanmar (Burma) | |
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| North Korea | |
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| Philippines | |
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| Singapore | |
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| South Korea | |
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| Taiwan | |
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| Vietnam | |
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Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.
Travelling to Another Destination?
Travelling outside of East and Southeast Asia? Learn more about your destination with our full compliment of destination advice pages!
On This Page:
What Vaccines Do I Need for East and Southeast Asia?
Are There Other Health Concerns in East and Southeast Asia?
What Are the Entry Requirements in East and Southeast Asia?
Travelling to Another Destination?
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