Health & beauty |

Planning to Move to Indonesia? Make Sure You Have These Five Vaccines!

health & beauty | 22 May 2019

Indonesia is a beautiful tropical country perfect for a short summer holiday or maybe even a more permanent move due to your job. However, there are several things you must prepare before moving to Indonesia. Other than the complicated immigration necessities and a new house for your family, vaccination is one thing that people often forget.

Hands wearing medical gloves holding injection.
Though crucial, vaccination is one thing that people often forget.
Photo from Freepik/NOWJAKARTA

Living in Indonesia will give you an amazing experience. But living healthily will give you a perfect experience. Since it is impossible to make sure that everything is hygienic, you should make sure that your immune system works properly. Most people have a set of vaccinations during their childhood to protect them from harmful bacteria. The majority of those vaccines will forever protect you but there are some vaccines that need further action. Here is the list:

Typhoid fever

This bacterial infection is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria typically in food and water poisoning. Typhoid fever is highly contagious with the symptoms include lasting high fevers, weakness, stomach pains, headache, loss of appetite, constipation, and some experience a rash. The vaccine however is only valid for 3 years. Make sure your vaccine is still valid!

Flu vaccination

This vaccine is advisable for literally everyone aged older than 6 months and pregnant women. Those who are in a risk group, for example if you have chronic, respiratory, heart, kidney or liver disease, or if you suffer from diabetes, immunosuppression or neurological disease, should also protect themselves.

Woman holding a thermometer
Flu vaccine is highly advisable for everyone aged 6 months old until 65 years old.
Photo from Freepik/NOWJAKARTA

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Make sure you had the full set of vaccinations! For hepatitis A, you are supposed to have 2 or 3 vaccinations within a year or within 18 months maximum. This depends on the manufacturer of the vaccine. In case you are not sure, administering, an extra vaccine against hepatitis A will not be harmful.

For Hepatitis B, it is also important that you complete the full series which is usually a series of 3. If for some reason this is incomplete or if you are not sure, it is a good idea to conduct a blood test to make sure if you are protected.


If you are at risk of being exposed to possible bites or scratches from mammals you should protect yourself against rabies beforehand. This is especially important because if you are not vaccinated you need immunoglobulins which are almost impossible to purchase in Indonesia. 


For those who spend years in Southeast Asia, a booster against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough) is recommended. This is usually given every 10 years.

This list is not complete, so for any tailored advise regarding vaccination it is better to speak to your doctor. Good Practice Clinic and Pharmacy provide high quality medical advise and services to help you with your specific needs. For more information, visit

For other services related to your preparation before moving to Indonesia such as immigration services, home search, school search, language training, and orientation programme, EMC Indonesia is the perfect choice. Operating for more than 15 years, EMC Indonesia has a wealth of experience and deep understanding on what expats need before moving to Indonesia.

For more information, visit