Travel Essentials

This page covers travel vaccines that are not part of the HK routine schedule but are recommended for specific destinations and itineraries:

• Hepatitis A: most under-vaccinated travel vaccine. Worth considering for almost any traveller to a country with lower food-and-water hygiene standards.
• Typhoid: for travellers to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, especially those eating local food outside major hotels.
• Yellow fever: required by certain countries (proof of vaccination via International Certificate of Vaccination).
• Rabies: pre-exposure for long stays in countries with stray dog populations, fieldwork, or remote travel.
• Meningococcal ACWY: mandatory for Hajj/Umrah pilgrims. Also for travellers to the African meningitis belt in dry season.

Book 4-8 weeks before travel so multi-dose courses can be completed.

Hepatitis A: most travellers to non-Western destinations, especially developing countries. 2-dose schedule.

Typhoid: travellers to South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia, Africa, Central/South America, particularly with adventurous food choices.

Yellow fever: must be given at a designated yellow fever vaccination centre in HK. Required for entry to or transit through many African and South American destinations.

Rabies pre-exposure: long stays (1+ month) in rabies-endemic countries, fieldwork, work with animals.

Meningococcal ACWY: mandatory for Hajj/Umrah (proof required for Saudi visa). Also for sub-Saharan African travel in dry season.

US CDC publishes destination-specific travel vaccine recommendations in the "Yellow Book." Broadly aligned with HK guidance.

Hepatitis A: 2 doses, 6-12 months apart. 1st dose gives protection within 2-4 weeks.

Typhoid: 1 injection (repeat every 3 years) OR oral 4 capsules on alternate days (repeat every 5-7 years).

Yellow fever: 1 dose, lifetime protection per current WHO position.

Rabies pre-exposure: 2 doses 7 days apart OR 3 doses on days 0, 7, 21-28.

Meningococcal ACWY: 1 dose. For Hajj/Umrah, must be at least 10 days before arrival.

Start 4-8 weeks before departure.

Side effects vary by vaccine but typically include sore arm, mild fever, tiredness, and headache for 1-2 days.

Yellow fever being live attenuated can cause mild flu-like illness 5-10 days post-vaccination in some people. Rare serious reactions documented for yellow fever in older adults — discuss with a travel medicine doctor if you are 60+.

• Myth: My travel insurance covers everything, so I don't need vaccines.

  Reality: Travel insurance pays for treatment if you get sick — it does not prevent illness. Some travel infections can be fatal or have lasting consequences. Vaccination is cheaper and easier.

• Myth: Yellow fever vaccine is not really required — countries don't actually check.

  Reality: Some countries genuinely check the International Certificate at immigration. Without the certificate you can be denied entry or quarantined.

• HK Travel Health Service (Department of Health): public service, designated yellow fever vaccination centre. Fees apply. Book 4-8 weeks in advance.
• Private travel medicine clinics: wider product range and faster scheduling.
• Some GP clinics stock the more common travel vaccines (Hep A, typhoid) for regular travel patients.

• HK Travel Health Service — Pre-travel vaccination · HK Travel Health Service (HK)