All travellers are encouraged to have all their routine vaccines up to date regardless of the travel destination. Routine vaccines may include vaccines such as:

• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis
• Polio
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• And others

Please consult your family doctor, province or territory vaccination guide or visit the Canadian Immunization Guide for an updated list of routine vaccines.

In addition to the routine vaccines, the Government of Canada recommends that travellers consider the following vaccines prior to visiting Southeast Asia:

• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Measles
• Polio
• COVID-19
• Japanese encephalitis
• Influenza
• Malaria

Please consult your pharmacist, family doctor or travel health professional to determine which vaccines are right for you.

There is a risk of malaria in certain parts of Southeast Asia in certain areas and/or during certain seasons. As a result, the Government of Canada and the CDC both advise taking prescription medication in order to prevent it. Depending on the type of medication you are prescribed, you may need to start taking it before your trip and continue taking it during and after as well. In order to determine which malaria medication will best suit you, please consult with your healthcare advisor, preferably at least six weeks before departure.

Depending on which areas of Southeast Asia you plan on visiting, it might be enough to take other preventative measures rather than take medication. Since malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites, you can protect yourself by covering exposed skin, using insect repellent, staying in enclosed accommodations that are air-conditioned and sleeping under a bed net.

When travelling in Southeast Asia, having access to clean drinking water is a concern. Switch to bottled water instead or bring a reusable water bottle with a filter. Hot beverages such as coffee and tea are safe to drink since the water has been boiled. When it comes to ice, it is best practice to confirm with the staff at the resort you are staying at whether it has been made from filtered water. If the staff seems unsure, it’s best to skip the ice in order to avoid traveller’s diarrhea.

The Government of Canada advises travellers to avoid raw or under cooked meat and fish as well as to avoid eating food that has been sitting out at or served at room temperature. When eating raw vegetables and fruits, make sure that they have been washed with filtered water and peel them if you can. You should also avoid eating street food or other food prepared outside of your resort.

Health Canada recommends that you should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to travelling. Due to the fast-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic developments, the entry and exit requirements are continuously changing.

For latest updates on COVID-19 entry/exit requirements please visit Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories for countries in Southeast Asia.