Recommended Vaccinations for Travel to Sri Lanka

Before traveling to Sri Lanka, consult a travel medicine specialist 4–6 weeks prior. CDC/WHO recommend:

💉 Routine (Ensure Up to Date)

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Polio (IPV) — booster if needed
• Influenza (seasonal)
• COVID-19 (current booster)

🌍 Travel-Specific

• Hepatitis A: Food/water risk — strongly recommended
• Typhoid: Food/water risk — recommended (especially rural, adventurous eating)
• Hepatitis B: Blood/body fluid exposure — recommended for most travelers
• Japanese Encephalitis: Rural/farming areas, extended stay (>1 month), monsoon season — consider
• Rabies: Animal contact (dogs, monkeys, bats), remote areas, children — consider

🦟 Yellow Fever

Required ONLY if arriving from YF-endemic country (Africa, South America). Not required for direct travel from US/Europe/Asia. Certificate checked on arrival.

🦠 Other Risks

• Dengue (mosquito, urban/rural) — no vaccine widely available for travelers
• Chikungunya, Zika — mosquito precautions essential
• Travelers' diarrhea — hygiene, consider antibiotic prophylaxis
• Schistosomiasis — avoid freshwater swimming

🏥 Where to Get Them

• Travel clinics (Passport Health, university hospitals, public health depts)
• Primary care (some vaccines)
• Pharmacies (flu, COVID, some others)

Always verify current requirements — rules change. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health & WHO country page are authoritative sources.