Destination guide · Indonesia
Travel health and vaccines: Indonesia & Bali
Bali, Java, Lombok or Papua: in Indonesia, the risks change from one island to the next. Two topics dominate the preparation. Rabies, which is very present, and malaria, which depends entirely on your itinerary.
- Routine vaccines up to date and hepatitis A for practically all travellers.
- Rabies is a real issue, especially in Bali, with stray dogs and monkeys. Pre-exposure vaccination is discussed depending on your trip.
- Malaria depends on the itinerary: negligible risk in Bali and tourist Java, real and increasing towards the east. In Papua, prophylaxis.
- Dengue is present everywhere, all year. Protect yourself from mosquitoes during the day too.
- Ideally consult 4 to 6 weeks before departure: rabies vaccination takes several doses.
Which vaccines for Indonesia?
| Vaccine | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Recommended for practically all travellers |
| Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio, measles | Update for everyone |
| Typhoid | Longer stays, backpacking, uncertain food hygiene |
| Hepatitis B | Long or repeated stays, possible sexual contacts, risky activities (scooters…) |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Broadly considered: Bali and rural areas, children, stays beyond a few weeks, two-wheelers |
| Japanese encephalitis | Extended rural stays (rice fields), rainy season |
| Yellow fever | No risk in Indonesia. Certificate required only if you arrive from an endemic country. |
All these vaccines are available at the practice and given on the day of your consultation.
Rabies: the key issue in Bali
Rabies has been circulating among Bali’s stray dogs since 2008, and temple monkeys often bite or scratch visitors. Any exposure requires urgent post-exposure treatment. On site, it can be hard to get quickly with the necessary immunoglobulins.
Pre-exposure vaccination, started early, makes treatment after a bite much simpler. We give it serious thought for most trips to Bali, and even more so with children.
On site, don’t touch animals, even tame-looking ones. After a bite, a scratch or a lick on broken skin, wash at length with soap, then get medical advice the same day, whether you are vaccinated or not. During your trip, we remain available to our travellers by telemedicine.
Malaria: it all depends on the island
In Bali and on the classic tourist circuits of Java, the risk is considered negligible: no prophylaxis, standard mosquito protection. On Lombok, Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi, it is low to moderate depending on the area, with reinforced measures and sometimes standby treatment. In Papua and West Papua, the risk is high and medication prophylaxis is recommended.
No single answer fits all of Indonesia. Bring your precise itinerary to the consultation.
Dengue, on the other hand, is present everywhere, Bali included. Repellent during the day too, and covering clothes.
Other points to watch
- Bottled or treated water, care with ice and raw vegetables.
- On some volcano treks, altitude can bring on altitude sickness. If you dive, respect the waiting time before flying.
- Scooters are the leading cause of serious accidents among travellers. Helmet, insurance, and hepatitis B up to date.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the rabies vaccine just for Bali?
Mandatory, no. Strongly recommended, often. Contact with dogs and monkeys is hard to avoid there, and complete treatment after a bite is not quickly available everywhere. We decide in consultation based on trip length, activities and age. Children come first.
Bali: do I need malaria tablets?
Not for Bali alone: the risk there is considered negligible. Mosquito protection is still useful against dengue. If your trip continues towards eastern Indonesia, the question comes up again. That’s why we ask for the full itinerary.
How long before departure should I consult?
Ideally 4 to 6 weeks, especially if you are considering rabies vaccination, which takes several spaced doses. At the last minute, a consultation is still worthwhile: hepatitis A, advice and the travel kit keep their value.
Can I sort everything out by telemedicine?
Advice and assessment, yes, by screen sharing with the risk maps. If you need vaccines, we book a visit to the practice, often the same day.
Official references
- HealthyTravel.ch, Indonesia page (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine)
- FDFA travel advice: Indonesia
Written by the TravelDoctor team under the responsibility of Dr med. Ludovico Cobuccio, FMH specialist in infectious diseases (DTM&H, CTH). Last review: October 2026. This general information does not replace a personalized consultation.