Vaccinations for Thailand: What to Get Before You Go

Most visitors should get hepatitis A and typhoid, keep routine shots current and see a doctor at least a month ahead. Japanese encephalitis and rabies are worth it for stays of a month or more. A yellow fever certificate is only needed if you arrive from or through a declared country.

For most trips, get hepatitis A and typhoid sorted, make sure your routine shots are current, and see a doctor early enough to fit anything extra in. Whether you need more, such as Japanese encephalitis or rabies, depends mostly on how long you stay.

Start with the basics

Check that your routine vaccines are up to date before every trip, and see your doctor at least a month before you go. That includes measles: all international travellers should be fully vaccinated, and tetanus is worth a booster if your last dose was over ten years ago.

Typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective, so still be careful with food and water. The injectable Vi vaccine is one dose at least 2 weeks before travel, while the oral course is finished at least 1 week before exposure.

Adults over 40, immunocompromised people and people with chronic liver disease should get a single hepatitis A dose as soon as travel is considered.

If you are staying a month or more

Longer stays add two vaccines to think about.

Japanese encephalitis occurs countrywide, with peaks from May to October, especially in the north around the Chiang Mai Valley. It is recommended if you will spend a month or more in an affected area, and not for short trips to cities. The two-dose IXIARO course should be finished at least 1 week before you travel.

Rabies vaccination before travel makes sense for long stays of more than one month. A full course shortens any later treatment and removes the need for immunoglobulin. For the bite itself, see the dog bite and rabies guide.

Yellow fever certificate

Thailand has no yellow fever risk, but there is still a certificate requirement. If you travelled from or through a declared infected country, you must show a certificate for a vaccination given at least 10 days earlier. The countries include Brazil, Kenya and Nigeria.

You show the certificate to immigration, and it is valid for the life of the person vaccinated. Nationals of a listed country who have not travelled from or through those countries do not need one. A direct trip from the United States does not need one either.

Mosquito diseases and cholera

There are currently no dengue vaccines recommended for travellers in the United States, so avoid bites. There is no longer active cholera transmission, and the vaccine is not recommended.

Prescription malaria medicine is recommended for certain areas of Thailand. There is no malaria transmission on the islands of Krabi Province or in Pattaya City.

Getting vaccinated once you are here

The Thai Travel Clinic is on the 3rd floor of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mahidol University, at 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok. It is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00, with extended hours on Saturday from 9:00. You can book an appointment, and you should bring your vaccination record.

A hepatitis A dose costs THB 1,376, plus a doctor fee of THB 200 in office hours.

Whatever you choose, carry adequate travel health insurance.

↑ Contents

Not confirmed: Clinic hours and prices can change; call the Thai Travel Clinic before you go.

General health information checked against the sources listed above, not medical advice. Rules, vaccine schedules and prices change; see a doctor or the hospital before you act. See how guides are checked.

Spotted an error? Report it.