Recommended Vaccinations for Travel to Thailand
For travel to Thailand, all travelers should receive hepatitis A, typhoid, and ensure routine vaccinations are up to date, while yellow fever vaccination is not required unless arriving from endemic countries. 1
Routine Vaccinations to Update Before Travel
- Tetanus-diphtheria: Ensure booster is current (within 10 years) 1
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR): Particularly important for international travelers 2
- Polio: Ensure vaccination is complete, especially for travel to developing countries 2
- Influenza: Recommended for all travelers, especially during flu season 1
Thailand-Specific Recommended Vaccinations
Hepatitis A
- Strongly recommended for all travelers to Thailand 1
- Provides >95% protection after a single dose with long-lasting immunity (>20 years) 1
- Risk is high in Thailand with studies showing low immunity in people under 25 years 3
Typhoid
- Recommended for most travelers, especially those visiting smaller cities or rural areas 1
- Available as injectable (inactivated) or oral (live) vaccine
- Injectable form preferred for most travelers 1
Hepatitis B
- Consider for most travelers due to high prevalence in Thailand 4
- Studies show over two-thirds of backpackers are not protected against HBV 4
- Particularly important if:
- Staying for extended periods
- Potential for sexual contact with local residents
- Medical procedures might be needed
- Participating in activities with exposure risk (20.8% of backpackers engage in high-risk activities) 4
Rabies
- Consider for longer-stay travelers or those planning activities in rural areas 5
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis requires only two vaccinations according to recent guidelines 6
- Important because post-exposure care may not be readily available in all areas of Thailand 5
Japanese Encephalitis
- Consider for travelers spending >1 month in rural areas or during rainy season 6
- Not typically needed for short-term tourists staying in urban areas
Vaccinations Not Required for Thailand
Yellow Fever
- Not required for direct travel to Thailand as there is no yellow fever in Asia 6
- Only required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country (parts of Africa and South America) 2
- If required, vaccination must be documented on International Certificate of Vaccination 2
Cholera
Malaria Prophylaxis
- Recommended for rural areas, particularly near borders with Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos 1
- Options include:
Special Considerations
Immunocompromised Travelers
- Consult with infectious disease specialist before travel 2
- Live vaccines (yellow fever, oral typhoid) are typically contraindicated 2
- Inactivated vaccines should be used instead of live vaccines 2
Practical Tips
- Schedule vaccination appointments 4-6 weeks before travel 1
- Multiple vaccines can be administered simultaneously at different injection sites 1
- Carry antidiarrheal medication and consider antibiotic prophylaxis for traveler's diarrhea 2
- Use insect repellent containing DEET and sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets in rural areas 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Underestimating hepatitis risk: Many travelers don't realize Thailand has high hepatitis A and B prevalence
- Inadequate timing: Failing to get vaccinations 4-6 weeks before departure
- Ignoring routine vaccinations: Focusing only on "exotic" vaccines while neglecting routine ones
- Relying on oral typhoid vaccine if immunocompromised: Injectable form is safer for these travelers
- Neglecting malaria prophylaxis: Especially important in rural border regions
By following these vaccination recommendations, travelers can significantly reduce their risk of vaccine-preventable diseases while visiting Thailand.