Cambodia Travel Vaccinations

Planning a trip to Cambodia? If you're travelling soon then it's important to stay on top of your health requirements. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about what travel vaccinations you might need for your journey. Below you'll find recommended vaccines, malaria advice, potential health risks, and how to book travel vaccinations with Well Pharmacy to help you prepare for your trip.

The recommended travel vaccinations for Cambodia largely depend on the below factors:

• The length of your trip
• Which specific regions you plan on visiting
• Whether you’ll be spending time in rural areas
• Any planned activities such as trekking, volunteering or backpacking
• Your vaccination history

However, generally speaking, you can use the below clinical guidance* to help prepare for your appointment with us.

• Routine UK vaccinations – you should be up to date with any routine vaccinations and boosters recommended according to your age, medical history, and individual risks. This includes checking that vaccinations such as MMR and diphtheria, tetanus, and polio are up to date.
• Yellow Fever certificate – there is no risk of Yellow Fever in Cambodia, but a vaccination certificate is required for travellers over one year old arriving from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission. This also applies if you have spent more than 12 hours transiting through an airport in a Yellow Fever risk country. If you’re travelling directly from the UK, a certificate is not normally required.

• Hepatitis A – an infection spread through contaminated food or water or direct contact with an infected person. Vaccination is recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers visiting Cambodia.
• Tetanus – bacteria found in soil and manure can enter the body through wounds, burns, or scratches. You should have completed the standard UK vaccination course, while a booster may be recommended if your last dose was more than 10 years ago and medical facilities could be limited during your trip.
• Typhoid - an infection spread through contaminated food and water. Vaccination is recommended for most travellers to Cambodia, particularly those staying for longer periods, visiting friends or relatives, or travelling where sanitation and food hygiene may be poorer.

• Hepatitis B – spread through infected blood and bodily fluids. Vaccination may be considered for all travellers and is highly recommended if your trip could involve increased exposure through medical treatment, work, contact sports, unprotected sex, or a longer stay.
• Rabies – usually spread through the bite, scratch, or saliva of an infected animal. Rabies is a risk in Cambodia and has been reported in domestic animals. Vaccination may be recommended for longer stays, higher-risk activities, or travel to areas where prompt medical treatment could be difficult to access.
• Japanese Encephalitis – a mosquito-borne infection found throughout Cambodia, with risk present year-round and a seasonal peak generally between May and October. Vaccination may be considered for longer stays, frequent travel or trips involving increased exposure in rural areas, such as rice fields or pig farms.
• Chikungunya – spread mainly by daytime-feeding mosquitoes. Vaccination may be considered for travellers aged 12 and over who are visiting an area with an outbreak or making long-term or frequent trips to places with an increased risk.
• Dengue – dengue is spread by mosquitoes and is a recognised risk in Cambodia. Vaccination may be considered for certain travellers aged four and over, particularly those who have previously had dengue.
• Tuberculosis (TB) – BCG vaccination is only recommended for particular groups of travellers, including some unvaccinated children under 16 living in Cambodia for more than three months, and certain people whose work increases their risk of exposure to tuberculosis.

• Dengue Fever – dengue is spread by mosquitoes that mainly bite during the daytime and is a recognised risk in Cambodia. Use insect repellent, cover exposed skin where practical, and take other steps to avoid mosquito bites.
• Diarrhoea – contaminated food and water can cause a range of illnesses while travelling. Taking care with food and drinking water and washing or sanitising your hands regularly can help lower your risk.
• Dehydration – Cambodia’s hot climate can increase your risk of dehydration, particularly during long periods outdoors. Drink plenty of fluids, use sun protection and take regular breaks from the heat.
• Malaria - there is a low risk of malaria across much of Cambodia, with a very low risk around Angkor Wat, Lake Tonle Sap, and Siem Reap, and no malaria risk in Phnom Penh. For most travellers, awareness and mosquito-bite prevention are the main precautions, although antimalarial tablets may be considered for certain higher-risk travellers or itineraries.
• Zika virus - there is a risk of Zika virus in Cambodia. It is mainly spread by daytime-feeding mosquitoes and can also be sexually transmitted. Pregnant women should discuss the suitability of travel with a healthcare professional, and all travellers should take steps to avoid mosquito bites.