Vaccines for Thailand: What Travelers Are Typically Recommended

What vaccines are routinely recommended for Thailand?

Before any international trip, public health authorities recommend being up to date on routine vaccinations regardless of destination 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024).Routine Vaccines for Travel — CDC Travelers' Health.Importance of routine vaccine update before any international travel. These include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, flu, and COVID-19. Travel is a common exposure setting for measles in particular.

Beyond routine vaccines, the CDC recommends several travel-specific vaccines for Thailand 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024).Routine Vaccines for Travel — CDC Travelers' Health.Importance of routine vaccine update before any international travel:

• Hepatitis A — recommended for nearly all travelers. Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and exposure risk is real even in tourist areas 2Ref 2Nelson NP, Link-Gelles R, Hofmeister MG, Romero JR, Moore KL, Ward JW, Schillie SF (2018).Update: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Use of Hepatitis A Vaccine for Postexposure Prophylaxis and for Preexposure Prophylaxis for International Travel.Hepatitis A vaccine recommendation for international travelers, including those to Southeast Asia.
• Hepatitis B — recommended if not vaccinated as a child, or for any travel involving potential medical care, tattoos, sexual contact, or needle exposure.
• Typhoid — CDC now frames this broadly: "Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas" 8Ref 8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health Branch (2025).Thailand — Traveler View (Vaccines and Medicines; Malaria and Yellow Fever country guidance, updated April 23, 2025).Hepatitis A: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Thailand. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. | Hepatitis B: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Thailand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Thailand. | Typhoid: Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. | Japanese Encephalitis: Recommended for travelers who Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live; Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis; Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis … Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. | Chikungunya: There is elevated chikungunya risk in Thailand. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for people traveling or moving to this location if they are planning to stay for an extended period of time (for example, 6 months or more). | Measles: All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine … Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure | Rabies: Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Thailand. If rabies exposures occur while in Thailand, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis. | Yellow Fever: Direct travel from United States: Vaccine is not required. Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. | Malaria transmission areas: Primarily the provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (rare cases in Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia (especially in the rural forest and forest-fringe areas of these provinces); Rare to few cases in other parts of Thailand, including the cities of Bangkok (the capital), Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, or on the islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, or Phuket; No malaria transmission on the islands of Krabi Province (Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai) or in Pattaya City. Drug resistance: Chloroquine and mefloquine. Species: P. vivax (80%), P. falciparum (<20%). Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (except Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, tafenoquine; All other areas with malaria transmission (including Buri Ram province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only). Risk is highest away from tourist-standard food and water 3Ref 3Jackson BR, Iqbal S, Mahon B; CDC (2015).Updated recommendations for the use of typhoid vaccine — Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2015.Typhoid vaccine recommendations for travelers to countries with food and waterborne transmission risk.
• Japanese Encephalitis — recommended for travelers spending an extended time (typically a month or more) in rural areas with significant outdoor exposure, especially near rice paddies or pig farms. Not typically needed for a brief urban stay 4Ref 4Hills SL, Walter EB, Atmar RL, Fischer M; ACIP Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Work Group (2019).Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.Japanese encephalitis vaccine recommendations for travelers to Asia, including criteria based on duration and type of exposure.
• Rabies — recommended for travelers spending extended time outdoors, working with animals, doing adventure activities, or visiting remote areas where medical care may be hard to reach.

CDC's Thailand destination page states who each vaccine is for, and the wording is more specific than "ask your doctor" 8Ref 8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health Branch (2025).Thailand — Traveler View (Vaccines and Medicines; Malaria and Yellow Fever country guidance, updated April 23, 2025).Hepatitis A: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Thailand. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. | Hepatitis B: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Thailand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Thailand. | Typhoid: Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. | Japanese Encephalitis: Recommended for travelers who Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live; Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis; Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis … Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. | Chikungunya: There is elevated chikungunya risk in Thailand. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for people traveling or moving to this location if they are planning to stay for an extended period of time (for example, 6 months or more). | Measles: All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine … Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure | Rabies: Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Thailand. If rabies exposures occur while in Thailand, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis. | Yellow Fever: Direct travel from United States: Vaccine is not required. Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. | Malaria transmission areas: Primarily the provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (rare cases in Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia (especially in the rural forest and forest-fringe areas of these provinces); Rare to few cases in other parts of Thailand, including the cities of Bangkok (the capital), Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, or on the islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, or Phuket; No malaria transmission on the islands of Krabi Province (Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai) or in Pattaya City. Drug resistance: Chloroquine and mefloquine. Species: P. vivax (80%), P. falciparum (<20%). Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (except Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, tafenoquine; All other areas with malaria transmission (including Buri Ram province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only):

What is the yellow fever entry requirement?

Thailand requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving directly from a country with yellow fever transmission risk — primarily parts of sub-Saharan Africa or South America 5Ref 5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023).Yellow Fever — CDC Yellow Book 2024.Yellow fever vaccination entry requirements, including countries that require proof of vaccination. For most American, European, or Australian travelers flying directly from their home country, no vaccine is legally required to enter Thailand.

CDC states the rule precisely. For direct travel from the United States: "Vaccine is not required." For travel from countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission: "Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission" 8Ref 8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health Branch (2025).Thailand — Traveler View (Vaccines and Medicines; Malaria and Yellow Fever country guidance, updated April 23, 2025).Hepatitis A: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Thailand. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. | Hepatitis B: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Thailand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Thailand. | Typhoid: Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. | Japanese Encephalitis: Recommended for travelers who Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live; Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis; Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis … Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. | Chikungunya: There is elevated chikungunya risk in Thailand. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for people traveling or moving to this location if they are planning to stay for an extended period of time (for example, 6 months or more). | Measles: All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine … Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure | Rabies: Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Thailand. If rabies exposures occur while in Thailand, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis. | Yellow Fever: Direct travel from United States: Vaccine is not required. Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. | Malaria transmission areas: Primarily the provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (rare cases in Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia (especially in the rural forest and forest-fringe areas of these provinces); Rare to few cases in other parts of Thailand, including the cities of Bangkok (the capital), Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, or on the islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, or Phuket; No malaria transmission on the islands of Krabi Province (Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai) or in Pattaya City. Drug resistance: Chloroquine and mefloquine. Species: P. vivax (80%), P. falciparum (<20%). Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (except Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, tafenoquine; All other areas with malaria transmission (including Buri Ram province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only). The layover clause is the one people miss — a long connection in a risk country can trigger the requirement even if you never leave the airport.

Do you need malaria prevention medication for Thailand?

Malaria is present in some parts of Thailand — primarily in forested border regions near Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, and in rural areas of certain provinces 6Ref 6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023).Malaria — CDC Yellow Book 2024.Malaria risk in Thailand by region, when prophylaxis is and is not needed, drug resistance considerations. Most major tourist destinations, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai city, beach resorts (Phuket, Koh Samui), and other cities, have minimal to no malaria transmission.

If your trip is entirely urban and tourist-track, you likely do not need malaria prevention medication. If you are trekking in border forests, staying in remote rural areas, or visiting specific high-risk provinces, preventive medication may be recommended. A travel medicine clinician will map your exact itinerary and recommend prophylaxis only if warranted — the malaria parasite species and drug resistance patterns in Thailand also affect which medication is appropriate 6Ref 6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023).Malaria — CDC Yellow Book 2024.Malaria risk in Thailand by region, when prophylaxis is and is not needed, drug resistance considerations.

CDC's country guidance is unusually concrete here 8Ref 8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health Branch (2025).Thailand — Traveler View (Vaccines and Medicines; Malaria and Yellow Fever country guidance, updated April 23, 2025).Hepatitis A: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Thailand. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. | Hepatitis B: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Thailand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Thailand. | Typhoid: Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. | Japanese Encephalitis: Recommended for travelers who Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live; Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis; Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis … Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. | Chikungunya: There is elevated chikungunya risk in Thailand. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for people traveling or moving to this location if they are planning to stay for an extended period of time (for example, 6 months or more). | Measles: All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine … Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure | Rabies: Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Thailand. If rabies exposures occur while in Thailand, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis. | Yellow Fever: Direct travel from United States: Vaccine is not required. Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. | Malaria transmission areas: Primarily the provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (rare cases in Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia (especially in the rural forest and forest-fringe areas of these provinces); Rare to few cases in other parts of Thailand, including the cities of Bangkok (the capital), Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, or on the islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, or Phuket; No malaria transmission on the islands of Krabi Province (Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai) or in Pattaya City. Drug resistance: Chloroquine and mefloquine. Species: P. vivax (80%), P. falciparum (<20%). Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (except Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, tafenoquine; All other areas with malaria transmission (including Buri Ram province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only). Preventive medicine is recommended for the provinces bordering Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (except Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia — atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or tafenoquine — while for all other areas with transmission, including Buri Ram, CDC states "No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only)." It lists rare to few cases in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and on Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui and Phuket, and no transmission at all on the Krabi Province islands (Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai) or in Pattaya City. Chloroquine and mefloquine resistance is documented, and the species mix is about 80% P. vivax and under 20% P. falciparum — which is part of why the drug choice is not interchangeable.

What other health precautions are worth knowing?

Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes across Thailand. Mosquito protection — repellent with DEET or picaridin, long sleeves, permethrin-treated clothing — is the key prevention strategy.

Traveler's diarrhea is common in Thailand. Food and water hygiene plus a travel prescription for treatment (not prevention) is a reasonable discussion with your clinician 7Ref 7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023).Travelers' Diarrhea — CDC Yellow Book 2024.Traveler's diarrhea risk in Thailand, food and water hygiene, and treatment options.

Animal bites during travel — dog, bat, or monkey — require immediate medical evaluation for rabies post-exposure assessment, regardless of vaccination status. Thailand has a significant rabies burden; do not delay.

Chikungunya is now flagged for Thailand specifically: CDC notes "There is elevated chikungunya risk in Thailand" and says vaccination "may be considered for people traveling or moving to this location if they are planning to stay for an extended period of time (for example, 6 months or more)" 8Ref 8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health Branch (2025).Thailand — Traveler View (Vaccines and Medicines; Malaria and Yellow Fever country guidance, updated April 23, 2025).Hepatitis A: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Thailand. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. | Hepatitis B: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Thailand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Thailand. | Typhoid: Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. | Japanese Encephalitis: Recommended for travelers who Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live; Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis; Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis … Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. | Chikungunya: There is elevated chikungunya risk in Thailand. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for people traveling or moving to this location if they are planning to stay for an extended period of time (for example, 6 months or more). | Measles: All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine … Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure | Rabies: Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Thailand. If rabies exposures occur while in Thailand, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis. | Yellow Fever: Direct travel from United States: Vaccine is not required. Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. | Malaria transmission areas: Primarily the provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (rare cases in Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia (especially in the rural forest and forest-fringe areas of these provinces); Rare to few cases in other parts of Thailand, including the cities of Bangkok (the capital), Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, or on the islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui, or Phuket; No malaria transmission on the islands of Krabi Province (Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai) or in Pattaya City. Drug resistance: Chloroquine and mefloquine. Species: P. vivax (80%), P. falciparum (<20%). Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Provinces that border Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (except Buri Ram Province), and Malaysia: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, tafenoquine; All other areas with malaria transmission (including Buri Ram province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only). For a two-week holiday, mosquito precautions rather than vaccination are the practical answer.

Timing. CDC's instruction is to make the pre-travel appointment "at least 4-6 weeks before you leave" 9Ref 9Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health Branch (2025).Travel Vaccines.Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist that takes place at least 4-6 weeks before you leave. | Because some vaccines require multiple doses, it's best to see your health care provider as soon as possible. | Medicines to prevent malaria are pills that you start to take before travel., because some vaccines require multiple doses and malaria pills are started before you go. If you are already inside that window, still go — a late travel visit lets a clinician start what can be started and sort out malaria and traveler's-diarrhea treatment 9Ref 9Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travelers' Health Branch (2025).Travel Vaccines.Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist that takes place at least 4-6 weeks before you leave. | Because some vaccines require multiple doses, it's best to see your health care provider as soon as possible. | Medicines to prevent malaria are pills that you start to take before travel..