Travel Vaccines for Cambodia
Everything you need to stay healthy exploring Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. Cambodia requires comprehensive health preparation for Canadian travelers.
Verified by CDC · Updated February 2025
What Vaccines Do You Need for Cambodia?
Based on current CDC guidelines. Cambodia is considered a high-risk destination requiring comprehensive protection. Your specific needs depend on your itinerary, health history, and planned activities.
Hepatitis A
Strongly RecommendedEssential for ALL travelers to Cambodia. Protects against contaminated food and water — extremely common transmission routes in Southeast Asia. One dose protects your trip; a booster provides lifetime immunity.
Typhoid
Strongly RecommendedStrongly recommended for Cambodia travel. Bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water is common throughout the country. Essential if eating at local restaurants, street food markets, or staying outside major hotels.
Hepatitis B
RecommendedCambodia has high Hepatitis B prevalence. Recommended if you might need medical care abroad, have contact with locals, get tattoos or piercings, or stay 6+ months. Spread through blood and bodily fluids.
Japanese Encephalitis
RecommendedMosquito-borne viral infection affecting the brain. Recommended for travelers spending 1+ month in rural areas, staying in accommodations without AC or screens, or engaging in extensive outdoor activities especially near rice paddies.
Rabies
RecommendedStray dogs and monkeys are common throughout Cambodia, including at Angkor Wat temples. Pre-exposure vaccination is strongly recommended as rabies post-exposure treatment may not be readily available in rural areas.
Cholera
RecommendedConsider if traveling to areas with active outbreaks, working in humanitarian settings, or visiting areas with limited access to safe water. Most tourists don't need this vaccine, but we'll assess your specific risk.
Routine Vaccines (Tdap, MMR, Polio)
RecommendedEnsure your routine vaccines are up to date before traveling to Cambodia. Polio is particularly important as cases still occur in Southeast Asia. We'll check your records during your consultation.
COVID-19
RecommendedUpdated boosters recommended for international travel. Check current Cambodia entry requirements before travel — requirements may change.
We stock all these vaccines. Book a free consultation and we'll create your personalized protection plan — usually completed in a single visit.
What to Watch Out For
Cambodia presents several serious health risks for travelers. Most are preventable with proper precautions and vaccines.
Dengue Fever
VERY COMMON in Cambodia, especially during rainy season (May-October). No vaccine available. Can cause severe fever, joint pain, and potentially life-threatening complications.
DEET 20%+ repellent day AND night, long sleevesZika Virus
Present in Cambodia with active transmission. Serious risks for pregnant women as it can cause birth defects. Spread by the same mosquitoes as dengue.
Avoid if pregnant; strict mosquito preventionMalaria
Risk in rural and forested areas, especially along borders with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. NO risk in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap city center, or Angkor Wat complex. Drug-resistant strains present.
Antimalarial medication for risk areas + bite preventionTraveler's Diarrhea
Extremely common — affects 30-50% of visitors. Caused by contaminated food and water. Can ruin your temple explorations quickly.
Dukoral vaccine + careful food choices + bottled waterRabies
High risk in Cambodia due to stray dogs everywhere and monkeys at tourist sites like Angkor. Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear, and treatment may not be available locally.
Pre-exposure vaccine, avoid animal contactAvian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Sporadic cases reported in Cambodia. Risk is low for most travelers but present around live poultry markets and farms.
Avoid live bird markets, don't touch poultryMalaria Risk in Cambodia
Malaria risk in Cambodia is complex. Major tourist areas including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap city center, and the Angkor Wat temple complex have NO malaria risk. However, rural and forested areas, especially border regions, carry significant risk with drug-resistant strains.
Risk Areas
RISK AREAS: Forested regions, rural areas along borders with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri provinces. NO RISK: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap city, Angkor Wat temples, Battambang city, Sihanoukville beaches, most tourist routes.
Recommended Prevention
For risk areas: Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) or Doxycycline recommended. IMPORTANT: Cambodia has chloroquine-resistant AND mefloquine-resistant malaria in some areas. We'll carefully match your medication to your specific itinerary.
Essential Health Tips
Food & Water Safety
- ONLY drink bottled or purified water — no tap water
- Avoid ice unless from a reputable hotel/restaurant
- Skip raw vegetables and unpeeled fruits
- Eat at busy restaurants with high food turnover
- Street food can be safe if cooked fresh and hot in front of you
Bug Bite Prevention
- Apply DEET 20%+ or Picaridin repellent — dengue mosquitoes bite DAYTIME
- Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk
- Sleep in air-conditioned rooms or use bed nets in rural areas
- Consider permethrin-treated clothing for jungle or rural trips
- Reapply repellent after sweating — Cambodia is hot and humid
Temple & Travel Safety
- Wear sturdy shoes at temples — uneven stones and steep stairs
- Stay hydrated — bring 2+ liters of water for Angkor Wat days
- Start temple visits at sunrise to avoid peak heat
- Watch for monkeys at temples — they can bite (rabies risk)
- Never feed or approach stray dogs
Common Questions About Traveling to Cambodia
No — Angkor Wat, Siem Reap city, and Phnom Penh have no malaria risk. You only need antimalarials if visiting remote jungle areas, rural regions, or border areas with Thailand, Laos, or Vietnam. Most standard tourist itineraries don't require malaria medication. We'll review your specific plans during your consultation.
Street food can be safe if you choose wisely: pick vendors with high turnover and freshly cooked food prepared in front of you. Avoid raw items, pre-cut fruits, and anything that's been sitting out. That said, Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines are essential regardless of where you eat, as contamination can occur anywhere.
Yes, be cautious. Monkeys at Cambodian temples can be aggressive, especially if they see food. They may scratch or bite, which poses a rabies risk. Never feed monkeys, keep food hidden, and maintain distance. We strongly recommend rabies pre-exposure vaccination for Cambodia travelers.
Japanese Encephalitis is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe brain inflammation. Risk is higher in rural areas, especially near rice paddies or pig farms. If you're staying more than a month, visiting rural areas, or staying in accommodations without AC/screens, this vaccine is recommended. It's a serious illness with no treatment.
Ideally 4-6 weeks before travel to allow time for Japanese Encephalitis (requires 2 doses) and Rabies (requires 2-3 doses). However, don't skip your appointment if leaving sooner — single doses of Hepatitis A and Typhoid still provide good protection, and we can start multi-dose series that you complete after travel.
Medical facilities in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are limited compared to Western standards. For serious illness or injury, evacuation to Bangkok, Thailand is often necessary. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential. This is another reason we recommend rabies pre-exposure vaccine — post-exposure treatment may not be readily available.
Get Protected Before Your Cambodia Trip
Free consultation — we'll review your itinerary, recommend vaccines, and get you protected. Cambodia requires more preparation than typical beach destinations, so book early.
Cambodia Travel Consultation
Free — No Consultation FeeComplete itinerary review, all recommended vaccines, antimalarial assessment, and personalized health advice for your Cambodia trip. You only pay for vaccines administered.