You may need vaccinations for your trip to Bali, so you should take care of these in good time. The following article will tell you whether there are mandatory vaccinations and which diseases a corresponding vaccine is recommended for.
Please note that we can only provide a rough overview of mandatory, compulsory and recommended vaccinations. This information does not replace advice from a travel doctor or other qualified source, such as a tropical institute.
Compulsory vaccinations
If you want to travel to Bali, you should be aware of the current regulations regarding compulsory vaccinations. Currently, there is only one disease for which a mandatory vaccination is required for entry.
Yellow fever
If you want to travel from a country where there is yellow fever, every person aged nine months or older must be able to prove that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever. Even transiting through an airport in a yellow fever area may, under certain circumstances, require you to present proof of vaccination. It is best to keep an eye on the current entry requirements for Indonesia.
Important: Since 9 June 2023, proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is no longer required.
Covid-19
In order to be allowed to enter Bali or Indonesia as a whole, a full vaccination against Covid-19 was required in the meantime. This regulation was repealed with effect from 9 June 2023. The Indonesian government considered the administration of at least two doses of vaccine to be a full vaccination. Should the requirements change again, we will provide information here accordingly. In addition, it is recommended to take a look at the website of the Indonesian Embassy for the latest regulations regarding Covid-19.
Recommended vaccinations
Certain vaccinations may be useful for a trip or a long-term stay in Bali. The standard vaccinations for adults and children are recommended. Before travelling to Bali, you should take into account the current recommendations of the Federal Foreign Office and the Robert Koch Institute. In addition, you can seek advice from a travel doctor or tropical institute and, if necessary, be vaccinated.
Standard vaccinations
The recommended standard vaccinations are as follows:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Whooping cough
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Polio
Travel vaccinations
In addition to the standard vaccinations that you should normally have regardless of your planned trip, there are other vaccinations that are specifically recommended for trips to Bali. These include in particular:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Rabies
- Japanese encephalitis
Information about the vaccinations and diseases
The diseases listed above, as well as the vaccinations that may be used to prevent them, are described in more detail below. At this point, it should be noted again that it is advisable to seek vaccination advice from a travel medicine specialist before travelling.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Symptoms of an infection can include fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Jaundice can also occur, which manifests itself, among other things, in a yellowing of the skin and severe itching.
Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water. Transmission through smear infections (also known as contact infections, for example through touching) is also possible.
With a single vaccination, vaccination protection of about 95% can be achieved. A second vaccination should be given between six months and a year after the first vaccination. After that, long-term protection is provided for up to 25 years.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is also a liver disease, which in this case is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is one of the most common viral infections worldwide. The symptoms are similar to those of the A variant. However, hepatitis B can cause serious liver damage, for example in the form of liver cirrhosis or cancer.
Unlike the A variant, hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. Even small injuries in the skin or mucous membrane can lead to infection when in contact with contaminated bodily fluids. For example, sexual intercourse poses a potential risk, but hepatitis B can also theoretically be transmitted through the use of tattoo needles.
Three doses of vaccine are needed for basic immunisation. If necessary, the vaccination should be refreshed every ten years – especially for people who travel a lot.
Typhoid
Unlike hepatitis, typhoid fever is not caused by a virus but by bacteria. More specifically, it is caused by Salmonella. Symptoms of typhoid fever can include headaches, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea. In addition, sufferers have a high fever. If untreated, typhoid fever can lead to serious complications or even death.
The typhoid pathogen, i.e. the salmonella, occurs under poor hygiene conditions. It is usually transmitted through contaminated drinking water or food.
The vaccination against typhoid fever requires only a single dose, which is administered by injection.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that, if untreated, almost invariably leads to death. The virus is transmitted in most cases by the bites of dogs. However, potential transmitters can also be bats or other wild animals. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and is classically transmitted to humans through a bite or through scratches.
Vaccination against rabies does not necessarily protect against infection, but it does buy valuable time for treatment and care. After contact with an animal that could have rabies, everyone who has contact with it needs to be revaccinated. The risk of falling ill is lower for previously vaccinated people than for people without rabies vaccination.
The vaccination is given in three doses. After the first dose, a second dose is given one week later and a third dose four weeks after the first vaccination.
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that occurs particularly in southern and eastern Asia. The majority of infections are very mild or asymptomatic, i.e. no symptoms occur. If the disease is mildly symptomatic, it is often associated with fever and headaches. In severe cases, the disease occurs very suddenly. The usual symptoms are severe headaches, high fever and signs of meningitis (brain inflammation).
The basic immunisation consists of two vaccinations, which are administered four weeks apart. If there is not enough time before the trip, the second vaccination can also be administered one week after the first.
Conclusion: What vaccinations are required for a trip to Bali?
To be able to travel to Bali without worries and without having to worry too much about potential diseases, you should consult a travel doctor about vaccinations. In addition to the standard vaccinations that you have received in many Western countries, vaccinations against other diseases may also be recommended. In particular, you should protect yourself against hepatitis and typhoid fever with vaccinations, as these diseases can be transmitted under poor hygiene conditions. The hygiene standards on Bali do not correspond to those in Europe, so there is a definite risk here. Which vaccinations should be given for Bali in each individual case will become clear through a corresponding consultation with an expert.
