Vaccinations for Bali: what Australians need before they go

Travel health ·Published 17 October 2026 ·Reviewed 17 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

You don’t need any vaccines to enter Bali from Australia, but a few are well worth having. Make sure you’re up to date with measles (MMR) and tetanus, and talk to a pharmacist or travel doctor about hepatitis A and typhoid, which spread through food and water. Depending on how long you’re going and what you’ll be doing, rabies, Japanese encephalitis (JE) and hepatitis B vaccines may also be worth it. Try to start 6 to 8 weeks before you fly.

Our pharmacist immunisers at Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair give most of these vaccines, for anyone aged 5 and over. Walk in or book a time, and see our travel health page for how it works.

Which vaccines do I need for Bali?

It depends on your health, how long you’re staying and what you’re planning, so treat this as a starting point for a chat with a pharmacist or doctor.

Most travel vaccines aren’t free, so a private fee usually applies. You’ll see current prices when you book online.

Measles: the one most people forget

NSW Health lists Indonesia, including Bali, among the countries with prolonged measles outbreaks. Two doses of MMR vaccine give lifelong protection against measles to 99 in 100 people. If you were born in or after 1966 and don’t have records of 2 doses, you can have it free in Queensland. NSW Health advises having the final dose at least 2 weeks before you leave.

After you get home, watch for measles symptoms for 3 weeks: fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and a spotty rash that starts on the head and neck. If they appear, call your GP or the emergency department before you go in, and mention your trip.

Hepatitis A and typhoid

Both spread through contaminated food and water.

• Hepatitis A. One dose gives protection. A second dose 6 to 12 months later gives longer-lasting protection, which is handy if you visit Bali often.
• Typhoid. It comes as a single injection, or as capsules you take over several days (from age 6). The injection is estimated to be about 65% effective over 3 years, so you still need to be careful with food and water.

Is the rabies vaccine worth it for Bali?

Smartraveller says rabies is present throughout Indonesia, spread mainly through bites and scratches from dogs, cats and monkeys. According to healthdirect, rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Smartraveller also warns that rabies treatment in Indonesia may be limited and the vaccine isn’t available everywhere, so you could need to come home, or travel to another country, for treatment.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends deciding on rabies vaccination before you travel after a risk assessment: how likely you are to be around animals, and how easily you could reach medical care. It suggests parents consider it for younger children. The course is either 2 visits a week apart or 3 doses over about 3 to 4 weeks.

We don’t give the rabies vaccine at Pacific Fair. If it sounds right for your trip, see a GP or travel clinic early, as the course takes time.

What to do if an animal bites or scratches you

1. Wash the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes straight away.
2. Apply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine, and don’t cover the wound.
3. Get medical help urgently, the same day if you can, even if you’ve had the rabies vaccine. You may need injections to prevent rabies.
4. Ask for a written record of any treatment you’re given, and see your GP when you get home.

Japanese encephalitis

JE is a virus spread by mosquitoes. The Handbook notes it’s present in eastern Indonesia, including Bali, and recommends the vaccine for people spending a month or more in areas where it’s found. It may also be worth it for shorter trips in the wet season, or if you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors. Smartraveller reports that Australians have come home from Bali with JE and dengue.

Depending on the type, the JE vaccine is a single dose or a 2-dose course. We can give it at Pacific Fair.

Dengue and mosquito bites

Dengue is spread by mosquitoes that bite throughout the day, especially around dawn and dusk, and Smartraveller says insect-borne illnesses are common in Indonesia throughout the year. A dengue vaccine is now registered in Australia for people aged 4 and over, given as 2 doses 3 months apart. It’s mainly for people who’ve had dengue before, or who’ll spend long or repeated periods where dengue is common, and it isn’t suitable for everyone. Talk to a GP or travel doctor about whether it suits you. We don’t offer it yet.

Whatever you decide, avoiding bites is still your best protection:

• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and reapply it as directed.
• Wear loose, light-coloured clothing that covers your arms and legs.
• Choose accommodation with air-conditioning or screens.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Do I need malaria tablets for Bali?

Bali itself is generally considered low risk for malaria, but some other parts of Indonesia, such as Papua, carry a higher risk. If your trip goes beyond Bali, see a GP or travel doctor about whether you need malaria tablets, which need a prescription. Help Medical, an independent general practice located inside our store, can help.

How to avoid Bali belly

• Drink sealed bottled water, and use it to brush your teeth.
• Skip ice unless you know it’s made from safe water.
• Eat food that’s freshly cooked and served hot.
• Peel fruit yourself, and go easy on salads.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before you eat.

Smartraveller also warns about methanol poisoning from drinks: “As little as one shot can be fatal.” Only drink branded, sealed drinks, and get help fast if you feel unwell after drinking.

Pack a small travel health kit with oral rehydration solution, pain relief, antiseptic and insect repellent. See our travel health checklist for a full countdown to your trip.

How far ahead should I start?

Ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you fly, as some vaccines need more than one dose or take a couple of weeks to work. Leaving sooner? Come in anyway. A single dose of hepatitis A vaccine still gives protection, and some courses can be sped up.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Talk to your pharmacist about which vaccines suit your trip, what to pack, and how to take your regular medicines with you.

See a GP or travel doctor before you go if you’re pregnant, have a weakened immune system or a long-term health condition, are travelling with children under 5, or need rabies vaccine, dengue vaccine or malaria tablets.

After you get home, see a doctor if you have a fever, a rash, diarrhoea that doesn’t settle, or any animal bite or scratch, and tell them you’ve been to Bali. In an emergency, call 000.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need vaccinations to travel to Bali?

None are required to enter Bali from Australia. But being up to date with measles and tetanus, and talking to a pharmacist about hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines, is recommended for most travellers.

How long before Bali should I get vaccinated?

Ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you fly. If you’re leaving sooner, come in anyway. Some protection is better than none.

Can I get Bali vaccines at a pharmacy on the Gold Coast?

Yes. At Pacific Fair we give hepatitis A and B, typhoid, measles, tetanus and whooping cough, flu and Japanese encephalitis vaccines to people aged 5 and over. For rabies and dengue vaccines, see a GP or travel clinic.

Do children need vaccines for Bali?

Children need the same thinking as adults, and the Handbook suggests parents consider rabies vaccination for younger children. We vaccinate children aged 5 and over. For younger children, see a GP.

Planning a Bali trip? Walk in to Pacific Fair, or book a travel vaccination 6 to 8 weeks before you fly.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.