Vaccinations & Immunizations You Need to Travel or Live in Thailand
Prepare yourself medically for your trip to Thailand
Per the US Centers for Disease Control guidelines, individuals traveling to Thailand should ensure they are current with all standard immunizations. This includes the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, the polio vaccine, and the annual influenza vaccine.
While vaccines are important, they protect against diseases you are fairly unlikely to contract. Much more common are things like motorbike accidents, food poisoning, and twisted ankles. Check out our guide to Thailand travel insurance and protect yourself against these much more likely scenarios.
Additionally, it’s advised for most travelers to receive vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. It’s important to remember that Hepatitis A vaccination involves two doses over a six-month period. The effectiveness of the Typhoid vaccine ranges between 50-80%.
For those visiting remote rural areas in Thailand, the CDC suggests vaccinations for Hepatitis B and Japanese Encephalitis. The Hepatitis B vaccine requires three doses spread over six months and can be administered in conjunction with the Hepatitis A vaccine. The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine requires two doses within a month, with a recommended two-week period post-final dose for optimal efficacy.
Ideally, begin your vaccination process six months before your trip. However, initial doses can still offer partial immunity, so it’s beneficial to start the vaccinations even if your trip is sooner.
If you’re able to consult a travel medicine specialist in your home country, that’s ideal. Alternatively, you may opt to receive advice and more affordable vaccines in Bangkok upon your arrival. Remember, vaccinations like Hepatitis A and B involve an initial shot followed by a booster six months later. This schedule allows for the first dose at home and the second in Thailand.
Do you need malaria & rabies shots for Thailand?
Regarding Malaria & Rabies – We’re not medical professionals, so take our advice with caution. Often, general practitioners may not provide the most accurate advice for tropical travel medicine. They might recommend vaccinations based on general data rather than the actual risk of contracting diseases in Thailand.
It’s surprising how many visitors to Thailand unnecessarily purchase and consume malaria medication. The risk of contracting malaria is extremely low for most travelers. Besides being costly, these medications can have adverse health effects and are not recommended for prolonged use due to potential liver damage. If your doctor suggests malaria medication, consider seeking a second opinion from a travel medicine expert.
A rabies vaccine is generally not required unless you plan to spend significant time in caves or working with stray animals. Note that in the event of an animal bite, additional shots are required irrespective of any prior vaccination. Also, yellow fever vaccination is not needed in Thailand.
Is the Covid-19 vaccine required to enter Thailand?
While there was an initial vaccine mandate for travelers to Thailand, as of early 2023, there is no mandatory Covid-19 vaccination requirement for travelers to Thailand.