Travel

Vaccines and Medicines

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

You may need this vaccine if your trip will last more than a month, depending on where you are going in Sri Lanka and what time of year you are traveling. You should also consider this vaccine if you plan to visit rural areas in Sri Lanka or will be spending a lot of time outdoors, even for trips shorter than a month. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans. See more in-depth information on Japanese encephalitis in Sri Lanka .

Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Sri Lanka, so CDC recommends this vaccine for the following groups:

• Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites.
• People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
• People who are taking long trips or moving to Sri Lanka
• Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.

There is no risk of yellow fever in Sri Lanka. The government of Sri Lanka requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US. If you are traveling from a country other than the US, check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission .

For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for Sri Lanka. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans.