Thailand Travel Health Guide: Vaccination Checklist for a Safe Trip

1. Must-Have & Strongly Recommended Vaccinations

Make sure you’re up to date on “routine” vaccines — even before you pick a destination. For travel to Thailand, the CDC recommends:

• Routine vaccines: including Measles‑Mumps‑Rubella (MMR) vaccine, polio, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), and seasonal influenza.
• Hepatitis A vaccine: recommended for all unvaccinated travellers (from 1 year of age) due to possible exposure via food or water.
• Hepatitis B vaccine: advisable especially for longer stays or if you anticipate potential exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Typhoid vaccine: especially recommended for travellers who plan to stay outside major tourist hubs — e.g. rural areas, small towns — or expect to eat street food or local cuisine.

2. Recommended Depending on Region & Activities

Depending on where you go and what you do — vaccines or prophylaxis beyond the basics may make sense.

• Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine: JE is present outside big cities such as Bangkok. The CDC recommends JE vaccination for travellers spending a month or longer in Thailand; also consider it if you travel shorter periods but will spend time in rural, agricultural, or forested areas — especially in the rainy season or areas known for mosquito exposure.
• Pre-exposure to Rabies: While mass vaccination has reduced dog-mediated rabies, risk persists ― especially in rural or remote areas, or when interacting with stray dogs, monkeys, or other animals. Travellers at elevated risk (e.g. working with animals, trekking, staying long-term) should discuss rabies pre-exposure vaccination with a doctor.
• Malaria & Mosquito Risks: Some rural/forest border regions (e.g., near Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia) carry malaria risk — notably from Plasmodium vivax (≈80%) and less often P. falciparum. In those areas, the CDC recommends a prophylactic antimalarial (e.g., Atovaquone‑proguanil, Doxycycline, or Tafenoquine) plus mosquito-bite avoidance. In low-risk zones (cities, popular resorts) bite prevention might suffice.
• Other mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika virus: No widespread traveller vaccine is currently recommended, but transmission is common — dengue is endemic across the country, chikungunya & Zika also occur. Travellers should rely on mosquito bite prevention (repellents, long clothing, bed nets, air conditioning/screens). Zika risk is especially relevant for pregnant travellers or those planning conception.

3. Extra Health Advice & Environmental Risks

Even with vaccines and prophylaxis, travellers should be aware of other non-vaccine-related health risks:

• Food & Water Hygiene: Street food is part of the charm — but can pose a risk for travellers’ diarrhea or typhoid. Stick to freshly cooked meals, avoid raw/undercooked dishes, peel fruit yourself, drink bottled or filtered water, avoid ice or tap water.
• Air Quality: In many provinces (e.g. near Bangkok or northern regions such as Chiang Mai), air pollution — especially fine dust (PM2.5) — can be a problem, especially during the burning season. Sensitive individuals may prefer to check air-quality indices and consider protective masks.
• Sun, Climate & Nature Hazards: High humidity, strong sun exposure, and tropical weather may challenge travellers. Activities like diving or snorkeling carry risks (e.g., marine life, water safety), and some coastal / tsunami-prone areas might pose hazards — always heed local warnings.

4. What This Means for Vaccy Users

With a digital vaccination record like Vaccy, you have a powerful tool to make travel-preparation easier — and safer.

• Before your trip, use Vaccy to audit your vaccination history against Thailand’s recommended/immunisation-status checklist.
• Plan well ahead: some vaccines (e.g. JE, Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid) may require multiple doses or time to build full protection.
• Combine vaccinations with non-vaccine measures — mosquito avoidance, safe food/water practices, sun & air quality precautions — especially if you plan to venture outside main tourist zones.
• For stays of several weeks, rural visits, or frequent travel to Southeast Asia: consider a travel-health consult — Vaccy can help summarise and show which vaccinations are missing.

5. Final Thoughts

Thailand is a vibrant, beautiful travel destination with something for almost everyone — from tropical beaches and diving spots to jungle treks and cultural cities. With proper planning, vaccinations, and preventive measures, you can enjoy everything Thailand has to offer without compromising on health.

Safe travels — and don’t forget to bring Vaccy with you!

Sources & Disclaimer

This article is based primarily on the official CDC Travel Health Guidance for Thailand (“CDC Yellow Book — Thailand”). This content has not been reviewed, verified or authorized by the CDC.

The text was created with the support of AI systems to summarize publicly available health recommendations.

It does not replace professional medical advice. Health-related decisions should always be double-checked with a healthcare professional.