With the exception of Yellow Fever, for those travelling
from an infected area, no vaccinations are required as a condition of entry to
Indonesia. However, the decision to avoid medical precautions should either be
based on medical advice from your practitioner, or personal acceptance of risk.
If planning to travel without medical protection, it may
also be prudent to check for pre-qualifying conditions with regard to ignoring
medical advice in your travel insurance policy.
Visitors should consult their medical practitioner well
in advance of travel to seek vaccination advice. Currently recommended vaccines
are MMR, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies
and Typhoid, with a course of anti-malarials also highly advised.
Providing visitors exercise good personal hygiene, there
are minimal risks from disease in Bali, but if you are intending to travel well
deep into the interior or off the beaten track, precautions against malaria are
vital.
As Dengue Fever and Japanese encephalitis are also borne
by mosquitoes, it is advised to use repellents and wear long sleeves and
trousers at vulnerable times and places.
Visitors should avoid drinking tap water, or water from
the wild, and should use only bottled water, even for brushing teeth. In common
with many other parts of the world, it pays to examine the bottle top seals of
bottled water to ensure these have not been re-filled by unscrupulous traders.
For those unfamiliar with travel in the planet’s tropical
regions, special attention should be given to the possibility of dehydration,
sunstroke and sunburn. Always drink plenty of water and wear a high factor
sunscreen and bear in mind that it is possible to suffer from considerable
sunburn even on completely overcast days, particularly in the first few days of
your trip.
Pharmacies in Bali are of a good standard, but on the
precautionary principal, if you rely on particular medication or other health
related products it is better to bring an adequate supply with you when you
travel. Be aware that some medical products may be out of date or even
counterfeit.
If you are carrying prescribed medicines as part of your
normal healthcare, these should be clearly labelled. In particular, if your
self-medication requires the use of syringes, to avoid potentially serious
misunderstanding with foreign officials, it is recommended to obtain a letter
from your practitioner detailing their use in relation to your condition.
It is also recommended to have a dental check prior to
travelling to avoid the unforeseen spoiling your holiday.