Reviewed by a GPhC-registered Pharmacist at Newdays Pharmacy | Published: 2026 | Book an appointment
| Quick Answer: UK travellers to the Philippines should have hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations as a minimum. Rabies vaccination is strongly recommended given the high rate of animal to human exposure across the islands. Japanese encephalitis is recommended for extended rural stays. Malaria risk varies by island, with Palawan carrying significant risk. Dengue fever is endemic throughout the archipelago and bite avoidance is essential. |
The Philippines attracts UK travellers to destinations including Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, and Manila. As an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, travel health risks vary considerably by island, activity type, and length of stay. The Philippines has one of Asia’s highest rates of human rabies deaths and a significant dengue burden, making pre-travel health preparation particularly important. Newdays Pharmacy provides travel health consultations for the Philippines from our Berkshire branches in Eton, Twyford, Reading, and Lane End.
Recommended Vaccinations for the Philippines
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is recommended for all travellers to the Philippines. Contaminated food and water are the primary transmission routes and risk is present across the country, including in tourist areas. The two dose course provides long term, potentially lifelong protection.
Typhoid
Typhoid is recommended for most travellers, particularly those eating local food, staying outside international hotels, or visiting rural islands and communities. Both the injectable single dose vaccine and the oral three capsule Vivotif course are available at Newdays Pharmacy.
Rabies: A High Priority for the Philippines
The Philippines has one of the highest rates of human rabies deaths in Asia, driven primarily by dog bites. Pre exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for all but the very shortest visits. Stray dogs are present throughout the country, including in tourist areas and on island beaches. Without pre-exposure vaccination, a bite requires immediate access to rabies immunoglobulin, which may not be reliably available on smaller or more remote islands. The three dose pre exposure course should be started and completed before departure.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is present in the Philippines in rural agricultural areas. Risk is low for short stay tourists in urban areas and beach resorts. Vaccination is recommended for travellers spending extended periods in rural areas, those visiting during the wet season (June to October), and those engaged in outdoor activities in agricultural regions. The Ixiaro vaccine is given as two doses twenty eight days apart.
Malaria in the Philippines
Malaria risk in the Philippines varies significantly by island. Palawan is the primary island with significant malaria risk and antimalarial tablets are recommended for travel to Palawan outside the main towns of Puerto Princesa and Coron. Most other popular tourist islands including Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, and the Visayas generally carry a low malaria risk. Manila carries negligible malaria risk. Discuss your specific island itinerary with our travel health pharmacist to determine whether antimalarial tablets are appropriate.
Dengue Fever in the Philippines
Dengue is endemic throughout the Philippines and is one of the most significant health risks for UK travellers to this destination. Outbreaks occur year round, with peaks during the wet season. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours. The Qdenga dengue vaccine is available at Newdays Pharmacy and may be suitable for travellers to the Philippines. Discuss eligibility during your travel health consultation. Applying DEET repellent of at least 30 percent concentration to all exposed skin during the day is essential throughout the Philippines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, rabies vaccination is strongly recommended even for beach holidays in the Philippines. Stray dogs are present on beaches and in resort areas across the country. Without pre-exposure vaccination, a bite on a remote island could be a medical emergency given the limited availability of rabies immunoglobulin.
Book your pre-exposure course at Newdays Pharmacy at least four weeks before departure.
Yes. Palawan carries significant malaria risk outside of Puerto Princesa city and Coron town. Antimalarial tablets are recommended for travel to El Nido and other parts of Palawan.
Discuss the most appropriate option with our travel health pharmacist during your consultation.
At least six to eight weeks before departure. The rabies pre-exposure course requires three doses over twenty-one to twenty-eight days. The Japanese encephalitis Ixiaro vaccine requires two doses twenty-eight days apart.
Early booking is essential to complete all recommended courses before you travel.