Vaccinations for Sri Lanka

If you have received a full course of the tetanus vaccine in the past, you will simply need a booster before you visit Sri Lanka. This is usually administered as part of the diphtheria, polio & tetanus booster, which offers protection against all three diseases.

Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can get into the body through open wounds. It is found in animal manure and soil, and once inside the body can cause painful spasms and stiffness in the muscles. A booster is recommended for travellers to Sri Lanka as, in certain parts of the country, access to medical treatment can be limited.

The typhoid vaccine is a common travel vaccine. It can be administered as an injection or as three capsules that are swallowed. Sometimes travellers will receive the typhoid vaccine in combination with the hepatitis A vaccine (this combined vaccine is administered as a single injection).

Typhoid is a bacterial infection that is spread in the faeces, and occasionally the urine, of an infected person. It can cause a fever, stomach pains, headache and diarrhoea or constipation; left untreated, typhoid can cause serious complications such as internal bleeding. Travellers to Sri Lanka are most likely to contract the disease by consuming contaminated food or water. This is more likely to happen in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

The hepatitis A vaccine is administered as one injection. It can be given in combination with the typhoid vaccine, or the hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which is spread in faeces. When travelling through Sri Lanka you may be exposed to this disease if you drink water or consume certain types of food in areas with poor sanitation. Most people recover from hepatitis A quickly but occasionally it can lead to serious liver complications.

The hepatitis B vaccine is administered in three injections over the course of a month. Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that attacks the liver. Many people will fight the infection off, but some people will go on to develop chronic hepatitis, which can lead to serious complications such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Hepatitis B is spread in the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. You may be at risk of contracting the disease whilst in Sri Lanka if you have unprotected sex, share any injecting equipment, get a tattoo or body piercing, or receive dental or medical treatment.

The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is administered as a course of two injections which can be given a week apart. Japanese encephalitis is a disease spread by mosquitoes which, in rare cases, can affect the central nervous system and cause life-threatening symptoms.

You will be most at risk of Japanese encephalitis if you spend long periods of time in rural areas of Sri Lanka.

The rabies vaccine is administered in three injections over the course of a month. Rabies is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system; it is nearly always fatal, particularly after symptoms develop.

Rabies is transmitted via the bite or scratch of an infected animal, usually a dog. If you will be working with animals, staying for a long time or travelling remotely in Sri Lanka, a pre-exposure rabies vaccination should be considered.

The tuberculosis vaccine (also known as the BCG) is administered as one injection. It is recommended for children staying in Sri Lanka for long periods, or healthcare workers who may be at risk of TB because of their work.

You can catch tuberculosis through prolonged contact with an infected person; the disease is spread in their coughs, sneezes and respiratory secretions. Symptoms include coughing, fever, weight loss, bloody phlegm and fatigue.