Philippines

Recommended Vaccinations For Philippines

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

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to visit risk areas should get the initial dose of vaccine. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.

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.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

The vaccination is recommended for long-term travellers (i.e. trips lasting a month or more) to endemic areas during Japanese encephalitis virus transmission season. Consider the vaccination for the following groups: Short-term (<1 month) travellers to endemic areas during Japanese encephalitis virus transmission season if their itinerary or activities will increase their risk (e.g. spending substantial time outdoors in rural or agricultural areas; staying in accommodations without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets.); travellers to an area with an ongoing outbreak of Japanese encephalitis; travellers to endemic areas who are uncertain of specific activities or duration of travel.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants 6 to 11 months old prior to their international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

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

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through 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 Philippines

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 Philippines

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in the Philippines, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya occurs in the Philippines. Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season, but can occur during the dry season as well.

Hepatitis A

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

Cholera

There is active transmission of Cholera across the Philippines.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in the Philippines.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in the country by contaminated food or by coming in contact with someone infected with the virus

Scrub Typhus

Areas of high risk for scrub typhus in the Philippines include grassy rural areas below 3,000 meters on Leyte, Samar, Mindoro, Luzon, Negros, Panay, Palawan, Cebu, and Mindanao.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Typhoid Fever

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

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis occurs in this country. The transmission is considered to be year-round. Rural areas are considered high risk.

Rabies

There is a risk of acquiring rabies in this country. Rabid dogs are commonly found in the Philippines. 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.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in the Philippines.Travellers are at risk if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Malaria

There is a low risk of acquiring the disease in rural areas of Luzon, Mindanao and Mindoro. and Palawan below 600m. There is no risk of malaria in the cities or islands of Boracay, Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu, and Leyte.

Safety & Security in Philippines

Personal Safety

Crime is a problem in the Philippines, especially in Manila. To prevent becoming a target, travellers should avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables and avoid showing signs of affluence like expensive clothing or jewelry. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, swarming and bag snatching, occurs, especially in urban areas.There have been reports of tourists being drugged and robbed. Travellers should never accept food or drink from strangers or leave their drinks unattended. Travellers should maintain a high degree of personal awareness at all times.

Only use officially marked taxis and do not share them with strangers. When using marine transportation, do not board vessels that are overloaded or appear to be unsafe as accidents have occurred.

Travel on ferries and passenger boats may not be safe, and accidents involving sea transportation are frequent. Overcrowding, poor quality vessels, and lack of maintenance are common problems. Ferries may not be seaworthy in rough weather. Do not board ferries that appear to be overloaded. Rough weather can develop rapidly, particularly during the rainy season, and rescue services may be limited. In August 2019, three ferry boats capsized, and at least 30 people died.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines. There is a threat of kidnapping across the country, especially in the southern islands. Kidnappings are conducted by both terrorist and rebel groups.Kidnappers have targeted foreigners, including Canadians. Terrorist and armed groups may also attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violent crime, such as armed robbery, sexual assault, and murder, occur regularly. The possession of guns and other weapons is common and poorly regulated. Criminals have attacked foreigners.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations take place regularly, including in Manila. Clashes often occur between security forces and demonstrators, especially in Mindanao and remote areas of northern Luzon. Armed clashes also occur between security forces and militants, throughout the country, especially in central and western Mindanao.Public protests and events that draw large groups of people are not uncommon and can turn violent rather quickly.

Areas To Avoid

Travellers to the Philippines should avoid all travel to the Sulu Archipelago, Marawi city in Mindanao (including regions of western and central Mindanao), Cotabato city area and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces. These are high-risk areas due to on-going terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups, the threat of kidnapping against foreigners as well as the risk of bombings, crime-related shootings, and terrorist attacks.