Vaccination needs to be taken before arriving at your holiday destination you need to plan your vaccine strategy 4-8 weeks before scheduled departure.
Bali is much more developed than most regions in Indonesia and the main tourism areas match international standards when it comes to hygiene. If you plan to travel to other areas in Indonesia or venture out for a longer period into the more remote areas of Bali, then a more careful approach is recommended.
Here are below I will list down below the vaccination and vaccine you need to take before you are coming to Bali.
- Tetanus and Diphtheria
This Vaccinations are strongly recommended if you are travelling to Bali. Diphtheria is a life-threatening communicable disease that spreads through air containing Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The bacteria attack the upper respiratory system, leading to symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, difficulties in swallowing, and shortness of breath.
The air condition in Bali is really humid, so it will make the bacteria easy to spread. Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is a serious infection caused by Clostridium tetani. This bacterium produces a toxin that affects the brain and nervous system, leading to stiffness in the muscles. Tetanus can be infected when you are get stab by the object which is rusty while you are going barefoot on the beach or possibly on the street.
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
Basic Standard also in “first world countries”. This vaccination is recommended. The MMR vaccine is a vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). The first dose is generally given to children around 9 to 15 months of age, with a second dose at 15 months to 6 years of age, with at least 4 weeks between the doses. After two doses, 97% of people are protected against measles, 88% against mumps, and at least 97% against rubella. The vaccine is also recommended in those who do not have evidence of immunity, those with well controlled HIV/AIDS, and within 72 hours of exposure to measles among those who are incompletely immunized. It is given by injection.
- Typhoid
Typhoid fever is linked to a salmonella species known as Salmonella typhi. Common symptoms are fever muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain and problems with the stool (diarrhea or constipation). The salmonella is transmitted by contaminated food or water. People can transmit the disease without knowing that they have it.
So, a cook in a restaurant can have no symptoms but because he is handling your food can still transmit typhoid. If you stay only a short while on Bali and eat and drink mainly in the hotels and resort, then a vaccination is usually not recommended by most doctors. Typhoid Vaccination recommended. Strongly recommended if you stay longer and wish to eat street food and travel to more remote areas. Especially when you want to take a backpacker adventure in Bali, and you want to try the local food which are have strong taste and sometimes under cook.
- Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccine is highly recommended for travelers to developing countries which includes of course Indonesia and Bali. Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. It’s after diarrhea simply the most common travel related disease globally. Like typhoid-fever it is also transmitted by contaminated water and food. It might also be acquired by direct contact with infected people.
If farmers or food stall owners are infected and handle their food, then their products could also be contaminated. Symptoms are usually fever, nausea, vomiting and pain in your abdomen. Sometimes Hepatitis A can result in a more sever liver damage but in most cases there are no complications. This Vaccination strongly recommended.
- Rabies
Recent outbreaks of rabies in 2008 and 2010 raised concerns among travelers to Bali. A rabies vaccination is still not a must if you come to Bali but considering the fact that dogs (and monkeys) who could interact with tourists can have rabies, and that Bali’s dog population is estimated at 500.000, a vaccination is not a bad thing before coming here. Avoid the street dogs, don’t get too near to them.
When you raise your hand as if you would throw a stone, they usually run away. Watch your children not to get too close to them. Bali vaccinates every year tens of thousands of dogs and by now government estimates that around 50% of the dogs have been vaccinated. Which leaves another 50%. Bali got some bad press of culling street dogs after the outbreak in 2010. This Vaccination strongly recommended. It is better to check the red zone for rabies before you are coming to Bali to prevent the rabies disease.
- Malaria
Recent outbreaks of rabies in 2008 and 2010 raised concerns among travelers to Bali. A rabies vaccination is still not a must if you come to Bali but considering the fact that dogs (and monkeys) who could interact with tourists can have rabies, and that Bali’s dog population is estimated at 500.000, a vaccination is not a bad thing before coming here. Avoid the street dogs, don’t get too near to them.
When you raise your hand as if you would throw a stone, they usually run away. Watch your children not to get too close to them. Bali vaccinates every year tens of thousands of dogs and by now government estimates that around 50% of the dogs have been vaccinated. Which leaves another 50%. Bali got some bad press of culling street dogs after the outbreak in 2010. This vaccination slightly recommended. Bali is not a region which is include in epidemic area of malaria in Indonesia. So we can say that Bali is still safe from malaria disease.
- Dengue Fever
Beside traffic accidents – the most imminent health hazard to Balinese and visitors is most likely Dengue fever. There is no vaccine against it, therefore the best way to prevent Dengue is like with Malaria not to get bitten by mosquitoes. Dengue fever is a flu-like illness and not uncommon in Bali. Like Malaria, Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes although a different type. The Aedes Mosquito responsible for Dengue bites primarily in daytime but also during nighttime. They can be found mainly in densely populated areas like the capital Denpasar.
The disease is observed all year-round. It can be very painful, and can in some cases be fatal. Main symptoms are beside fever, aching joints and muscles, vomiting, severe headaches, nausea. Usually it takes a few days for the symptoms to subside and there won’t be complications. If one gets his first Dengue infection as an adult, most likely one would not experience big complications. For patients who have had a Dengue infection before the age of 15 and get a second one as adults, the risk for complications is higher. Bali is categorized in high risk for dengue fever, even though no vaccine available, you can prevent it by general mosquito bite precautions and always use your mosquito repellant when you are traveling in Bali.
- In Bali Montezuma’s revenge is called the Bali Belly. Globally the number one travel related disease due to contaminated water and food, mainly because of hygiene reasons. Diarrhea can strike you in Italy, Egypt, Mexico…all over the world when traveling. It’s a good thing to bring Diarrhea (Bali Belly)
some of the general anti-diarrheal drugs along – just in case. Although diarrhea is in most cases not dangerous and only keeps you suffering for a day or two, one should be aware that the condition can become dangerous.
If symptoms persist for more than 3 days (72h) then go to a doctor. Also, if you experience within 8 hours three more loose stools, vomiting, strong cramps, blood in the stool and fever then you might need antibiotics. For Bali this is categorized in Medium risk, you can prevent this by not drink water from tab, careful with street food. Make sure to ask the ingredients first before you want to eat the street food.
- HIV
Bali has a lot of prostitution. Some studies suggest that HIV is widespread among the prostitutes (up to 30%!). There are several other sexual transmitted diseases (STD) that are not uncommon among working girls (and boys) which will be difficult to explain back home. Please be safe and pay attention to anything that you would do according to the sex preference. Be responsible for your own body while you are in traveling phase. Be cautious and conscious.
I think Those are the Vaccine and Vaccination that you should look up to before you are going to travel to Bali, Indonesia. Some of the disease that mentioning above doesn’t have the vaccine yet so always be careful when you are traveling in Bali. It is better to take the shot of vaccine before you are traveling so your travel will be always safe and sound. Because we all know that no one like to get sick during travelling.
