Nepal Travel Vaccinations

Planning a trip to Nepal? Whether you're planning ahead or due to travel soon, 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 safely prepare for your trip.

The recommended travel vaccinations for Nepal largely depend on the following factors listed below:

• The length of your trip
• Which specific regions in Nepal 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 clinical guidance below* to help prepare for your appointment with us.

• Routine UK vaccinations – you should be up to date with any routine vaccinations and boosters recommended for 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 Nepal, but travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission (including transiting through an airport in a high-risk country for more than 12 hours) may need proof of vaccination. If you’re travelling directly from the UK, a Yellow Fever certificate is not normally required.
• Polio certificate – proof of polio vaccination may be required if you’re travelling to Nepal from certain countries where there is a risk of polio transmission.

• Hepatitis A – an infection that can spread through contaminated food and water or direct contact with an infected person. Vaccination is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers visiting Nepal.
• 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 depending on your vaccination history and access to medical care during your trip.
• Typhoid - an infection spread through contaminated food and water. Vaccination is recommended for most travellers to Nepal, particularly those visiting friends or relatives, or travelling where sanitation and food hygiene may be poorer.

• Hepatitis B – spread through infected blood and bodily fluids. Vaccination can be considered for all travellers and may be particularly appropriate for longer stays or trips involving an increased risk of exposure through medical treatment, work, contact sports, or sexual contact.
• Rabies – usually spread through the bite, scratch or saliva of an infected animal. Pre-travel vaccination may be recommended for longer stays, higher-risk activities, or travel to remote areas where prompt medical treatment could be difficult to access.
• Japanese Encephalitis – a mosquito-borne infection that occurs in Nepal, particularly in areas such as Terai and Kathmandu Valley and various other hill and mountain districts. Vaccination is not usually needed for short, lower-risk trips, but may be considered for longer stays or travellers spending significant time outdoors in rural risk areas. Vaccination recommendations will be based on your individual itinerary, duration and planned activity.
• Cholera – spread through contaminated food and water. Vaccination is not routinely needed by most travellers but may be considered for people at increased risk, such as those visiting areas with poor sanitation, or limited access to safe water and medical care.
• Chikungunya – spread mainly by daytime-feeding mosquitoes. Vaccination may be considered for travellers aged 12 and over visiting an area with a current outbreak or making long-term or frequent trips to higher-risk regions.
• Dengue – dengue is a mosquito-borne infection found in Nepal. Vaccination may be considered for certain travellers aged four and over who have previously had dengue and meet additional risk criteria.
• Tuberculosis (TB) – BCG vaccination may be recommended for certain higher-risk travellers, including some children and people whose work or activities could increase their exposure to tuberculosis.

• Altitude Sickness – altitude sickness is an important risk in Nepal, particularly if you’re trekking or travelling at high altitude. Symptoms can develop when ascending too quickly, so gradual acclimatisation and careful planning are important. Well Pharmacy also offers acetazolamide altitude sickness tablets following an appropriate assessment.
• Dengue Fever – dengue is present in Nepal and is spread by mosquitoes. Using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and taking other steps to avoid mosquito bites can help reduce your risk.
• Diarrhoea – contaminated food and water can cause illnesses such as travellers’ diarrhoea, hepatitis A, and typhoid. Good hand hygiene and taking care over what you eat and drink can help reduce your risk.
• Malaria - there is a low risk of malaria in areas of Nepal below 1,500 metres, particularly in the Terai. For most travellers, awareness and mosquito-bite prevention are recommended rather than routine antimalarial medication, although individual advice may vary according to your health and itinerary.
• Air pollution – poor air quality can be a health concern in Nepal, particularly for people with existing heart or respiratory conditions. Check local air-quality levels and consider limiting outdoor activity when pollution is high.