Overview
The tourist resorts and cities of the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Santo Domingo) are low-risk for malaria, while a few western provinces carry a moderate risk. Bite protection is the mainstay, and dengue and Zika are the everyday mosquito concern.
Recommended vaccines
Malaria by region
Elsewhere, including the cities and tourist resorts (Punta Cana, Santo Domingo), risk is low and mosquito-bite protection is enough.
Malaria risk is limited to certain regions, shown below.
Azua, Elías Piña and San Juan provinces carry a moderate risk, where preventive tablets are sometimes advised for susceptible travellers.
Other health risks
Prepare your trip
Leaving in under 2 weeks? Still book a clinic: a first hepatitis A dose already protects, and yellow fever needs at least 10 days. A travel clinic will prioritise what fits your timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Is any vaccine required for Dominican Republic?
No vaccine is required if you arrive directly from Belgium. Yellow fever is only asked for if you come from (or transit through) a country where it circulates.
Is there a malaria risk?
Malaria: risk limited to certain regions. Elsewhere, including the cities and tourist resorts (Punta Cana, Santo Domingo), risk is low and mosquito-bite protection is enough.
How far ahead of departure should I start?
Ideally 6 to 8 weeks before departure, to complete multi-dose schedules. Yellow fever, where it applies, must be given at least 10 days before arrival.
Our sources
Indicative information for a typical traveller, not medical advice. What you need depends on your itinerary, region, season and duration. See an approved travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure: only they can give yellow fever and issue the certificate.