Indonesia

Recommended Vaccinations For Indonesia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. Therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Vaccines are recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all age groups. Also including infants of 6 to 11 months old.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, who are going to live for more than 3 months in the country. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended for infants 6 to 11 months old.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination is recommended only for those planning to visit rural areas in Kalimantan, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Mollucas, Papua (Irian Jaya), and Lombok. The vaccination is not required for travellers visiting urban areas only.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Indonesia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Indonesia

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya occurs in Indonesia.

Cholera

Cholera has occurred in this country. It is bacterial infection transmitted by contaminated food and water. Can cause severe watery diarrhoea although mild infections are common.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Indonesia through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur in Indonesia, particularly in East Java. The risk is higher in heavily populated urban areas and during the rainy season.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Indonesia.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country. The disease is an endemic in this country and any non-immume person can become infected.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in Indonesia. It is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as when swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is presumed to occur year-round in rural Indonesia and has been reported in the following areas: Kalimantan, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Mollucas, Papua (Irian Jaya), and Lombok. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting the listed areas and extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Indonesia are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Indonesia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in most areas of the five eastern provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, and West Papua. Also including rural areas of Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, and Sumatra. There is no malaria risk in Jakarta and Ubud Municipalities, resort areas of Bali and Java, and Gili Islands and the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu). There are low levels of transmission in rural areas of Java, including Pangandaran, Sukalumi, and Ujung Kulong.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Scrub Typhus

Scrub typhus, also known as Tsutsugamushi fever, generally occurs year-round in some areas of Indonesia.

Safety & Security in Indonesia

Personal Safety

There is a high level of crime in Indonesia. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or other theft occur frequently. Keep valuables out of sight to avoid becoming a target for theft. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Avoid walking alone at night. Do not accept drinks or food from strangers and never leave your drinks out of your sight.

Travellers should exercise caution when choosing accommodations, places of worship, shopping areas, restaurants, clubs and other tourist facilities, and be aware of the facilities’ security level.

Indonesia has strict drug laws and severe penalties for drug offences.

Women travellers, in particular, should be aware that the Aceh Province, located at the northern end of Sumatra, implements Islamic law (Sharia law). Female travellers should inform themselves as to the specifics of the law. For example, in Aceh, women are banned from entertainment venues, such as internet cafes, tourist sites, sports facilities after 23:00 unless accompanied by a husband or male family member. The province’s morality police could detain a woman for being in an entertainment venue after 23:00. Also, unmarried men and women are banned from riding together on a motorbike in one of the districts of Aceh Province. Women are only allowed to ride motorbikes sidesaddle.

The incidence of road accidents is high in Indonesia. Road travel may be dangerous due to poor road conditions, traffic congestion and reckless driving. Exercise extreme caution in rural areas where roads may be unpaved and unlit at night. Avoid travelling after dark. Driving is on the left.

Public transportation and ferry safety standards are poor. Exercise caution.

Exercise extreme caution when participating in outdoor adventure activities as safety standards may not be adequate. Ensure travel and medical insurance is acquired before leaving and make sure your insurance policy covers outdoor adventure activities, including emergency medical evacuation. Also exercise caution when swimming as currents may be strong and unpredictable.

You must always carry your passport and your stay permit with you.

Travellers should take note of whether they will be travelling during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During this time, respect the religious practices of the country and avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. Always dress and behave conservatively to respect local customs.

LGBTI travellers should note that same-sex behaviours are not socially tolerated, and in some provinces, same-sex behaviours are illegal and severely punishable.

Indonesia has 129 active volcanoes. Heed the advice of local authorities if travelling to an area with an active volcano, and, in the event of an eruption, follow the local evacuation orders.

Indonesia’s location in an active seismic zone makes the country prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Air pollution also presents health and safety risk to the traveller, especially between June-October.

The rainy season in Indonesia is between November-March, although heavy rains can occur at any time of the year. This can result in landslides and flooding with little warning, especially in remote areas where extensive deforestation is common. These incidents have led to numerous fatalities and extensive destruction of property. Travellers should monitor regional weather forecasts and follow warnings issued by local authorities.

Extreme Violence

There is a risk of terrorism in Indonesia. Indonesian authorities continue to put counterterrorism measures in place. The threat from Islamist extremism remains high. Attacks could be indiscrimate, including in locations frequently visited by travelers. Always be aware of your surroundings, monitor local media, and follow the advice of local authorities in the event of terrorism.

Political Unrest

Large and occasionally violent protests have occurred in the past. Long-standing sectarian and social tensions are common in the provinces of Central Sulawesi (Palu, Poso, and Tentena), Maluku (especially in Ambon), as well as in Indonesian Papua. Travellers should avoid all such demonstrations and gatherings, monitor local news, and follow the advice of local authorities.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid travel to the province of Papua due to the risk of violence in response to political tensions. At the time of writing, a permit must be obtained before travelling to Papua province, although this could change at any time. Non-essential travel should also be avoided within 10km of Mount Agung, due to possible volcanic eruptions. Consult the local authorities.