Prepare your specific destinations, dates, activities and transit stops for a travel health consultation. Check entry conditions with the destination government or relevant consulate; a general travel article cannot establish the rules for every journey.
First, make sure your routine vaccines are up to date
Review your routine vaccination records with your clinician, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio.
Vaccines to consider, depending on your itinerary
- Hepatitis A and typhoid: spread through contaminated food and water. If you'll visit rural areas where sanitation varies, or eat out frequently, discuss these with your doctor.
- Japanese encephalitis: some rural parts of the mainland carry a risk, especially in summer. Consider it for long rural stays or heavy outdoor and night-time activity in endemic areas.
- Influenza: flu is active in northern China in winter, so a flu vaccine is worth considering for winter trips north.
Before travel: book a travel health consultation
THS centre information recommends booking a travel health consultation at least eight weeks before travel. Bring your specific itinerary and vaccination records so a clinician can assess the appropriate arrangements. If departure is soon, enquire promptly; booking advice is not a guarantee of protection by departure.
Related travel guides
For planning and official sources, see travel consultation preparation and Travel Essentials.