Vaccinations for Bali from Australia

Bali is a low-risk destination for exotic disease. Some vaccinations are recommended but you don’t need to go over the top.

Most travellers would be advised to have their routine immunisations current and strongly consider Hepatitis A. You might not consider a flu vaccine under normal circumstances but taking a break in the middle of winter and transiting airports does put you at risk. A true flu can last 5 to 7 days and make you a very undesirable travelling companion, particularly if it’s a special occasion.

The other “food and water vaccine”, typhoid, might be considered for the more adventurous eaters or if staying with friends and relatives in a more rural setting. Cases of typhoid do occur. Accommodation in Bali can range from 5-star resorts to backpacker homestays. Water and sanitation issues are much more likely in those staying in basic accommodation.

Other more exotic vaccines for the prevention of rabies, Japanese encephalitis and cholera really depend on what you intend to do, time away and season of travel. Those offered to a long-term resident might be very different to a short-term visitor.

Malaria prevention medication is not required for Bali. Cases were reported in just 2 of the 7 provinces of the Java-Bali region in 2023. These were in Central Java. More than 95% of malaria cases in Indonesia come from West Papua and the Eastern Nusa Tenggara islands region.

Indonesia hopes to achieve “malaria free certification” by 2030. Although the risk of malaria is low in Bali and Java, the risk of other mosquito-borne diseases is high.

There is no vaccination for Bali Belly but attention to the rules of eating and drinking safely should keep you safe. Some people seem to be at a higher risk of travellers diarrhoea while others might be on medications which might increase their risk.

Bali Belly is just a destination-associated name for traveller’s diarrhoea. It should be seen in the same way as Cleopatra’s curse (Egypt), Delhi Belly (India), Montezuma’s revenge (Mexico) and the Mexican 2 step (Mexico). It must be common if there are so many names to describe the same thing.

Most cases occur in the first week of travel and the illness can last for 3-5 days (not good if you are away for a week). It can be passed on from one person to another.

Traveller’s diarrhoea is more associated with contaminated food - quite different to the viral diarrhoea we see in a childcare setting where the disease is easily passed on by close contact or contaminated objects or hands.

The risk of travellers diarrhoea can be reduced by paying good attention to the rules of eating and drinking safely while in Bali. Carrying a travel medicine kit in the event of illness is very important, particularly if heading to the airport or about to embark on an organised bus trip to a place like Ubud.

The topic is covered in detail in A Pocketbook on Healthy Travel.

The biggest concern is dengue fever, and this is reflected in the number of cases being diagnosed on return to Australia. More than 1,800 cases of dengue fever were reported in Australia in the 12 months leading up to February 15, 2026. Many of these will have been exposed in Bali and other parts of Asia and the Pacific.

Our travel doctors can assess your specific Bali itinerary via telehealth - no clinic visit required.