emmunityemmunity
Travel health · sourced from ITM Antwerp

Sri Lanka

The vaccines usually advised for Sri Lanka when departing from Belgium, with the lead times to respect, based on the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM).

Yellow feverConditionalMalariaNo risk
emmunity editorial team · sourced & datedLast updated 17 August 2026

Overview

Sri Lanka is malaria-free and needs no vaccine to enter from Belgium. Dengue is the main everyday risk, spread by mosquitoes island-wide; Japanese encephalitis also occurs island-wide, mainly from November to February.

Recommended vaccines

VaccineCategoryWhen
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTPa)Recommendedkeep the booster current (every 10 years)
PolioRecommendedbooster for 16+ to Asia/Africa; sometimes compulsory (long stays)
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)Recommendedbe up to date (2 doses) before departure
Hepatitis ARecommendedas early as possible (1st dose already protective)
Typhoid feverConsider≥14 days before departure
RabiesConsiderpre-exposure: 2 doses, start early enough
Hepatitis BConsiderstart early (multi-week schedule)
Japanese encephalitisConsider2 doses to complete before departure (long rural stays)

Other health risks

Dengue
Dengue is present; protect against mosquito bites.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is present; protect against mosquito bites.
Zika
Zika is present, relevant mainly if you are or may become pregnant.
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is spread by insect bites; protect against insect bites.
Tick-bite fever
Ticks can transmit disease; cover up and check for ticks after outdoor activity.
Rabies
Rabies is present in dogs and other mammals; avoid contact and seek care after a bite.

Prepare your trip

8 weeks
Book a travel clinic
10 days
Yellow fever (if required)
Departure
Certificates & reminders ready

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 Sri Lanka?

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: no risk.

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.

The emmunity app

Your trip to Sri Lanka, prepared without the stress.

emmunity keeps your travel proofs and reminders in one place, ready for every departure.

Discover emmunity →
Coming soon · iOS · Android

Our sources

Last updated 17 August 2026

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.

Entry formalities: see FPS Foreign Affairs ↗

Nearby destinations
Coming soon: join the waitlist.