Reviewed by a GPhC-registered Pharmacist at Newdays Pharmacy | Published: 2026 | Book an appointment
| Quick Answer: UK travellers to Bali and Indonesia need hepatitis A and typhoid as a minimum. Rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for Bali given the high risk from temple monkeys and dogs. Japanese encephalitis is recommended for longer stays or travel to rural Indonesian islands. Malaria risk varies significantly by island. Book at least six to eight weeks before departure. |
Bali remains one of the most popular long haul destinations for UK travellers. Beyond Bali, Indonesia’s 17,000 islands include popular destinations such as Lombok, Komodo, the Gili Islands, Yogyakarta, and Flores. Health risks vary enormously across this vast archipelago. At Newdays Pharmacy in Berkshire, our travel health team provides destination specific advice for Bali and all Indonesian islands.
Travel Vaccinations Recommended for Bali and Indonesia
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is essential for all travellers to Indonesia. Contaminated food and water are the primary transmission routes, and risk is present even in tourist areas. The two dose course provides long term protection.
Typhoid
Typhoid is recommended for all travellers, particularly those eating local food or staying outside international hotels. Street food is ubiquitous across Bali and Indonesian islands, and typhoid vaccination significantly reduces risk. Both the injectable and oral courses are available at Newdays Pharmacy.
Rabies: A Priority for Bali
Rabies is a specific and well documented risk in Bali following a significant outbreak from 2008 onwards. Temple monkeys (macaques) and stray dogs are the primary sources of exposure for tourists. UK tourists have been exposed to potentially rabid animals at Ubud Monkey Forest, Uluwatu Temple, and other Balinese tourist sites. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for all but the very shortest Bali stays.
Without pre-exposure vaccination, a bite or scratch from an animal in Bali requires immediate access to rabies immunoglobulin followed by a four dose vaccine course. Rabies immunoglobulin has been in short supply in Bali in recent years. Pre exposure vaccination removes the need for immunoglobulin and simplifies the post-exposure protocol to two vaccine doses, which are more widely available.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis risk in Bali is considered low for short stay tourists who remain in urban and resort areas. Vaccination is recommended for travellers spending extended time (a month or more) in rural Bali or other Indonesian islands, particularly those with significant rice cultivation, or for travellers who will be repeatedly travelling to Indonesia. The Ixiaro two dose course should be started at least five weeks before first travel.
Malaria Risk in Indonesia
Malaria risk in Indonesia is highly variable by island. Bali itself has a low malaria risk and antimalarial tablets are not routinely recommended for standard Bali tourist itineraries. However, malaria is present in Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi, Flores, Lombok (some areas), Sumbawa, Sumba, and other eastern Indonesian islands. If your itinerary extends beyond Bali to these destinations, antimalarial tablets will be recommended. Your Newdays Pharmacy travel health consultation will cover malaria risk for your specific itinerary.
| Book Now: Book a Travel Health Consultation or Weight Management Appointment: newdayspharmacy.com/book-an-appointment/We serve patients from Windsor, Eton, Twyford, Reading, and across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for many travellers to Bali. Temple monkeys frequently scratch and bite visitors, and dog bites are also common. Rabies immunoglobulin, which may be required after exposure if you have not been vaccinated, has been in limited supply in Bali. As rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, vaccination provides valuable additional protection.
The Gili Islands, located off the coast of Lombok, carry a small risk of malaria. Whether antimalarial tablets are recommended depends on your itinerary, activities and the latest travel health guidance. Your travel health pharmacist can advise on the most appropriate protection during your consultation.
Yes. Newdays Pharmacy offers travel vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and combination vaccines. We also prescribe antimalarial tablets following a travel health consultation, helping you prepare for your trip to Indonesia.
| Clinical Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any treatment or medication. Information is accurate as of the date of publication and reviewed by a GPhC-registered pharmacist. Newdays Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Branch registration numbers: Eton/Windsor 1029048 | Twyford 1028983 | Coley Park Reading 1029008. |