Vaccines for the Philippines
The checker at the top is preset on the Philippines: enter the stops before Manila and the weeks left to read the CDC list, the yellow fever rule and the dose prices.
Travel vaccines CDC lists for most or some travelers on this trip
5 vaccines
plus 3 to discuss and routine vaccines up to date
| Yellow fever | Required only if you arrive from a risk country (Philippines) |
| Malaria | Prescription tablets for areas of Philippines |
| Longest lead time | 28 days before departure (Hepatitis B, 2 doses (Heplisav-B)) |
| Published price, these vaccines | $1,405 median, $1,215 to $1,550 |
Levels from the CDC destination pages; age 35 used for the Japanese encephalitis schedule. A list to take to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, not medical advice.
| Disease | CDC level | Where | Start at least | Median price per dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow fever | Required only if you arrive from a risk country | Philippines | 10 days before | $269 |
| Hepatitis A | CDC: most travelers | Philippines | Any time before | $109 |
| Hepatitis B | CDC: most travelers | Philippines | 28 days before | $149 |
| Measles | CDC: most travelers | Philippines | Ask | $115 |
| Typhoid | CDC: most travelers | Philippines | 14 days before | $174 |
| Japanese encephalitis | CDC: some travelers | Philippines | 14 days before | $375 |
| Chikungunya | CDC: may be considered | Philippines | Any time before | $326 |
| Cholera | CDC: may be considered | Philippines | 10 days before | $313 |
| Rabies | CDC: may be considered | Philippines | 7 days before | $419 |
Compiled by Radif Partners · Method and sources · CDC page reviewed September 18, 2026, read October 24, 2026
Three vaccines are on the CDC "most travelers" list for the Philippines: hepatitis A, typhoid and hepatitis B, the last one covering unvaccinated travelers of every age, after routine vaccines such as MMR. A fourth, Japanese encephalitis, concerns some travelers. Three vaccines are in the consider group: cholera, which CDC presumes present and which may be considered for travel to areas of active transmission; rabies, with rabid dogs commonly found; and chikungunya, for stays of 6 months or more. Malaria is limited to the province of Palawan and the Mindanao island group, where CDC lists four drugs; metropolitan Manila and other urban areas have none. A traveler flying in directly from the US needs no yellow fever certificate, but one 9 months or older arriving from a country with yellow fever risk does, and a layover of more than 12 hours in such a country counts. The median US county price is $109 a dose of hepatitis A, $174 for the typhoid shot, $149 a dose of hepatitis B and $313 for oral cholera vaccine.
What the CDC page asks of every traveler to the Philippines
Three vaccines carry the "most travelers" label for the Philippines. Hepatitis A is recommended for unvaccinated travelers aged one or more, typhoid for most travelers, and hepatitis B for unvaccinated travelers of all ages. That last point puts the Philippines with Vietnam and Indonesia rather than with Thailand, where the hepatitis B line stops at 60. Families flying from California or Ontario to see relatives in Cebu or Davao, divers heading to Anilao and backpackers island hopping in the Visayas all start from that same list.
The cost of the three at a US county health department, counting two hepatitis A doses, two hepatitis B doses, the typhoid shot and visit fees, ranges from $655 to $1,010, with a median of $724. Hepatitis B is the line that needs planning: the two dose adult vaccine is spaced 28 days apart.
Philippines list at one health department, cholera optional
Self-pay cost of these travel vaccines
$724
| Hepatitis A, 2 doses | $217 |
| Typhoid, injection, 1 dose | $174 |
| Hepatitis B, 2 doses (Heplisav-B), 2 doses | $298 |
Cholera: presumed present, rare in travelers
Unlike Thailand, where CDC says cholera vaccine is not recommended, the Philippines page states that cholera is presumed to be present. CDC adds that cholera is rare in travelers, that some factors raise the risk of infection or severe disease, and that vaccination may be considered for children and adults traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. The oral vaccine is a single dose that protects after 10 days and costs $272 to $360 on the published lists. Safe water and hand washing remain the base of prevention. See the cholera vaccine page for the conditions of use.
Malaria only in Palawan and Mindanao
CDC limits malaria transmission in the Philippines to two places: the province of Palawan and the Mindanao island group. Metropolitan Manila and other urban areas have none, and the page lists no transmission elsewhere, which leaves Boracay, Bohol, Cebu and the rice terraces of northern Luzon outside the tablet question. P. falciparum makes up about 85% of cases, and chloroquine resistance is reported, so CDC lists atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine and tafenoquine.
Palawan is the case most leisure travelers meet: El Nido and Coron are in that province. For three weeks there, atovaquone-proguanil comes to 30 tablets (about $43 at the price pharmacies pay), doxycycline to 51 tablets, and mefloquine to 9 weekly tablets (about $34). Insect bite precautions apply in all cases, and the choice of drug belongs to the prescriber.
Malaria tablets for Palawan or Mindanao
Atovaquone-proguanil for 21 days in Philippines
30 tablets
| CDC for this country | Prescription medicine for the areas listed |
| Drugs CDC lists here | Atovaquone-proguanil, Doxycycline, Mefloquine, Tafenoquine |
| Start and stop | daily, from 2 days before to 7 days after the risk area |
Rabies and Japanese encephalitis
Rabid dogs are common in the Philippines, per CDC, and vaccine for treatment after a bite can be found in most parts of the country. Pre-exposure doses are a question for a healthcare provider, based on planned activities with animals and on how quickly care could be reached from a small island. Two doses cost $838 at the median. Japanese encephalitis applies to some travelers: Settlers, travelers who return often and anyone spending a month or longer in an affected zone fall under the CDC recommendation; for a shorter visit, CDC talks of considering it when the plan involves countryside, trails, tents or unscreened rooms, and it leaves short city trips out. Each of the two doses costs $375 at the median, and adults of 18 to 65 can finish the series 14 days before departure.
Chikungunya for long stays
CDC reports elevated chikungunya risk in the Philippines and says the vaccine may be considered for people traveling or moving there for an extended period, for example 6 months or more. Retirees settling in Dumaguete or workers on a long contract are in that group; a two week holiday is not. One dose costs $326 at the median of the lists that publish it.
Yellow fever on routes through Africa or South America
CDC does not recommend the yellow fever vaccine for the Philippines. The entry rule is about where you come from: travelers 9 months or older arriving from a country with yellow fever risk need a certificate, and so do those who spent more than 12 hours in transit at an airport in such a country. A direct flight from the US, the UK, Canada or Australia, or a connection through Doha, Dubai, Tokyo or Hong Kong, does not trigger it. The list of countries with a certificate rule shows the other borders on a longer trip.
What CDC says for Philippines, word for word
Source: CDC, Travelers' Health destination page for Philippines, page last reviewed September 18, 2026, read on October 24, 2026. The text is reproduced without change; it is available free of charge on cdc.gov. Its use here does not imply endorsement by CDC, ATSDR, HHS or the United States Government.
Travel notices: Level 1, Global Measles (May 28, 2025)
| Disease | CDC wording |
|---|---|
| Routine vaccines | Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include • Chickenpox (Varicella) • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, or Td) • Flu (influenza) • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) • Polio • Shingles |
| COVID-19 | All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information. |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the Philippines. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given. Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin. |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to the Philippines. |
| Typhoid | Recommended for most travelers. Typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective. Practicing safe food and water habits, including washing hands at key times, can also help prevent typhoid fever. |
| Yellow Fever | CDC recommendations: Vaccine is not recommended. Country entry requirements: • Direct travel from United States: Vaccine is not required. • Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. Updated April 23, 2025 See footnotes |
| Malaria | CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of the Philippines take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Transmission areas • Province of Palawan and the Mindanao Island group • No malaria transmission in metropolitan Manila (the capital) or other urban areas Drug resistance • Chloroquine Species • P. falciparum (85%) • P. vivax (15%) • P. knowlesi, P. malariae, and P. ovale (rare) Recommended chemoprophylaxis • Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine Updated April 23, 2025 See footnotes |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended for travelers who • Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live • Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis • Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis Consider vaccination for travelers • Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets • Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. |
| Rabies | Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in the Philippines. If rabies exposures occur while in the Philippines, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis. Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel. For more information, see country rabies status assessments. |
| Cholera | Cholera is presumed to be present in the Philippines. Cholera is rare in travelers. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera. Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. |
| Chikungunya | There is elevated chikungunya risk in the Philippines. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for people traveling or moving to this location if they are planning to stay for an extended period of time (for example, 6 months or more). |
| Measles | Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. |
| Monkeypox | Monkeypox vaccination is recommended for any adult who anticipates any of the following activities during travel: • Sexual or intimate contact with a new partner • Sexual or intimate contact at a commercial sex venue, like a sex club or bathhouse • Sexual or intimate contact in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade • Sexual or intimate contact in association with a large public event, such as a rave, party, or festival Get your first monkeypox vaccine at least 6 weeks before traveling if you can, or as far as possible before travel if fewer than 6 weeks before you leave. Two doses of vaccine, given 4 weeks apart, are recommended. After completing your first and second vaccine doses it takes about 2 more weeks to get the best protection against monkeypox. Whether or not you've been vaccinated, continue to take steps to reduce your risk of getting monkeypox while you are away. |