What vaccines are required to travel to Philippines — practical, up-to-date guide
If you’re planning a trip and asking what vaccines are required to travel to Philippines, this quick guide gives the clear short answer plus the recommended shots many travellers should get before departure. I’ll cover entry rules, routine and travel-specific vaccines, how to get an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV), and practical next steps.
Because rules and risks change (yellow fever rules, malaria pockets, and pandemic-era policies have shifted), knowing what vaccines are required to travel to Philippines before you fly helps avoid delays at the airport and keeps you healthy while you explore the islands.
Read on for an easy checklist — short answer, vaccine-by-vaccine notes, when you actually need a certificate, and a compact FAQ so you can confidently prepare for your trip and answer “what vaccines are required to travel to Philippines” for your itinerary.
Short answer (quick takeaway)
Short answer: what vaccines are required to travel to Philippines? For most travellers, no routine vaccine certificate is required to enter the Philippines — the only commonly enforced entry vaccine requirement is proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving from or transiting (over 12 hours) through countries with yellow fever risk. For everything else, the focus is on recommended (not required) vaccines and staying up to date on routine immunisations. CDC Travel Health+2World Health Organization+2
Required vs. recommended — who needs what
Entry required vaccine(s)
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Yellow fever — Required only if you are arriving from, or have transited (usually >12 hours) through, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. If this applies to your route, you must show an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV). The Philippines follows the International Health Regulations on this. CDC Travel Health+1
(How to get the ICV: the Philippines’ Bureau of Quarantine / DOH issues ICVs and guidance for travellers. See their online ICV services.) quarantine.doh.gov.ph
Recommended vaccines (strongly advised for many travellers)
These are not universal entry requirements, but health authorities (CDC / WHO / major travel clinics) recommend them depending on itinerary, length of stay and activities: passporthealthusa.com+1
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Routine vaccines — Make sure MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis), polio and seasonal influenza are up to date. These protect you in everyday situations and are standard travel prep. CDC Travel Health
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Hepatitis A — Recommended for most travellers (food/water exposure risk). passporthealthusa.com
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Typhoid — Recommended if you’ll eat street food, stay in small towns, or have longer stays. passporthealthusa.com
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Hepatitis B — Recommended for longer stays, healthcare work, or any sexual/medical exposure risk. passporthealthusa.com
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Japanese encephalitis (JE) — Consider for long stays or travel to rural/outer islands during transmission season (JE risk exists in many Philippine provinces). CDC gives criteria for when JE vaccine is advised. CDC+1
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Rabies (pre-exposure) — Consider for travellers who will be working with animals, spending a lot of time outdoors, or going to remote areas where post-exposure care may be delayed. The Philippines has areas with rabies risk. CDC+1
Malaria & mosquitoborne illnesses
Malaria risk is limited to specific provinces (not the whole country); prophylaxis is recommended only if you’ll visit high-risk areas — otherwise mosquito bite prevention (repellent, nets, clothing) is essential. Dengue has widespread risk; there is no widely-used pre-exposure vaccine for general travellers — focus on bite prevention. CDC Travel Health+1
Before you go — practical checklist
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Check the latest entry rules and One Health / eTravel portal for Philippines entry guidance and any temporary measures. eTravel+1
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Book a pre-travel appointment with a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before travel to allow multi-dose vaccines to complete. passporthealthusa.com
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If your route passes through a yellow fever country, get the YF vaccine and the ICV from an authorized clinic — the Philippines (DOH Bureau of Quarantine) recognizes the ICV. quarantine.doh.gov.ph+1
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Pack vaccine records (digital + paper) and proof of any prescriptions (e.g., malaria meds).
FAQs
Q: Do I need a COVID vaccine or test to enter the Philippines?
A: As travel rules have relaxed, proof of COVID vaccination is generally not required for arrival — but rules can change and certain airlines or connecting countries may have requirements. Always check the eTravel/One Health Pass and your airline. eTravel+1
Q: I’m transiting in a country with yellow fever — will I need the vaccine?
A: Transit over 12 hours through a yellow-fever risk country can trigger the requirement for a yellow fever certificate on arrival in the Philippines. Confirm on CDC/IHR lists and get an ICV if needed. CDC Travel Health+1
Q: Where can I get travel vaccines and an ICV?
A: Authorized travel clinics, many public health clinics, and the Philippines’ Bureau of Quarantine issue ICVs for required vaccinations — check DOH quarantine pages and local travel clinics. quarantine.doh.gov.ph+1
Q: My trip is mostly in Manila and resorts — do I need JE or rabies shots?
A: For short stays in urban/resort areas, JE and rabies pre-exposure vaccines are usually not required; focus on Hep A, routine shots, and food/water precautions. Consider JE/rabies if you plan rural travel, long stays, or animal contact. CDC+1
Final notes & trustworthy sources
Authoritative sources to check before departure: CDC Travelers’ Health (Philippines), WHO Yellow Fever lists, Philippines Bureau of Quarantine / DOH (ICV services), and your national travel health clinic. I’ve pulled the guidance above from those agencies to reflect current practice. CDC Travel Health+2World Health Organization+2
Conclusion
If you’ve been asking what vaccines are required to travel to Philippines, keep this simple rule: yellow fever certificate only if coming from a yellow-fever country; otherwise update routine vaccines and get recommended travel shots for your itinerary — that answers what vaccines are required to travel to Philippines, and also helps you decide which recommended vaccines to get. For official checks, use the DOH Bureau of Quarantine, the eTravel/One Health Pass, and CDC guidance before you fly — that’s the best way to be certain what vaccines are required to travel to Philippines. quarantine.doh.gov.ph+2
