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What vaccinations do tourists really need before visiting Sri Lanka?

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M
Mason U.•2485 rep•1

My doctor suggested several expensive shots but I want to know which ones are genuinely necessary. Are all those recommended vaccines really required for a typical two week trip.

1
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3 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

No vaccinations are legally mandatory for entering Sri Lanka unless you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required. However several vaccines are strongly recommended for your own protection. Hepatitis A and typhoid are the most important as they spread through contaminated food and water. Tetanus boosters should be updated if yours is older than ten years.

27
D
Dr Shani M.•23150 rep•1

Rabies pre exposure vaccination is genuinely worth considering especially if you plan to visit rural areas or temples where many stray dogs and monkeys gather. The pre exposure series still requires post exposure treatment after any bite but significantly reduces the urgency and complexity of treatment. Japanese encephalitis is rarely needed for short tourist visits to urban and coastal areas.

20
W
Wasantha P.•25030 rep•1

Sri Lanka has been officially declared malaria free since 2016 so antimalarial medication is completely unnecessary for any region of the country. Dengue fever remains the main mosquito borne concern but there is currently no vaccine available. Use strong insect repellent containing DEET, wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk, and stay in accommodations with window screens or air conditioning.

18
C
Chathuranga B.•21620 rep•1

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