Philippines

Recommended Vaccinations For Philippines

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to visit risk areas should get the initial dose of vaccine. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

The vaccination is recommended for long-term travellers (i.e. trips lasting a month or more) to endemic areas during Japanese encephalitis virus transmission season. Consider the vaccination for the following groups: Short-term (<1 month) travellers to endemic areas during Japanese encephalitis virus transmission season if their itinerary or activities will increase their risk (e.g. spending substantial time outdoors in rural or agricultural areas; staying in accommodations without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets.); travellers to an area with an ongoing outbreak of Japanese encephalitis; travellers to endemic areas who are uncertain of specific activities or duration of travel.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants 6 to 11 months old prior to their international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended to all unvaccinated adults, and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Philippines

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Philippines

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in the Philippines, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya occurs in the Philippines. Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season, but can occur during the dry season as well.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in the Philippines through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

There is active transmission of Cholera across the Philippines.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in the Philippines.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in the country by contaminated food or by coming in contact with someone infected with the virus

Scrub Typhus

Areas of high risk for scrub typhus in the Philippines include grassy rural areas below 3,000 meters on Leyte, Samar, Mindoro, Luzon, Negros, Panay, Palawan, Cebu, and Mindanao.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in the Philippines, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis occurs in this country. The transmission is considered to be year-round. Rural areas are considered high risk.

Rabies

There is a risk of acquiring rabies in this country. Rabid dogs are commonly found in the Philippines. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in the Philippines.Travellers are at risk if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Malaria

There is a low risk of acquiring the disease in rural areas of Luzon, Mindanao and Mindoro. and Palawan below 600m. There is no risk of malaria in the cities or islands of Boracay, Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu, and Leyte.

Safety & Security in Philippines

Personal Safety

Crime rates in the Philippines have shown a downward trend. According to official data, the index crime rate dropped by 61.87 percent between July 2022 and October 2024. In 2024, the number of focus crimes declined to 38,667 from 41,717 in 2023. Despite these improvements, personal safety concerns persist in urban areas. Manila had a crime index score of 65.4 in 2023. Petty theft, pickpocketing, and street crime remain issues in busy areas, public transport, and tourist spots. Armed hold-ups on jeepneys and buses occur, particularly in Manila and other large cities, and some incidents have resulted in fatalities. Taxi scams and robberies by taxi drivers and accomplices have been reported. Kidnappings occur across the country, including in Metro Manila. While most kidnappings are financially motivated targeting perceived wealthy individuals, the threat level is higher in Mindanao. The overall security environment continues to improve but remains uneven across regions.

Extreme Violence

Terrorism remains a significant concern primarily in the southern Philippines. The country ranks 18th on the Global Terrorism Index’s 2023 list of countries most affected by terrorism. In 2023, there were 95 terrorist attacks resulting in 299 victims. The Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army carried out the most attacks during this period. Terrorist groups including Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and Islamic State affiliates operate mainly in Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and the Zamboanga Peninsula. A terrorist attack in Marawi City in December 2023 killed four people and injured many others. Since 2000, over 40 major bombings have targeted civilian areas, mostly in the southern regions, though attacks have also occurred in Metro Manila due to its political importance. Kidnappings for ransom are concentrated in western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, targeting both locals and foreign nationals. An American was kidnapped in Zamboanga del Norte in October 2024. Terrorist and armed groups have historically engaged in kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks targeting foreign nationals, civilians, and security forces. Kidnappings occur nationwide but the threat is highest in the southern regions, particularly the Sulu Archipelago where piracy and kidnapping activity is elevated.

Political Unrest

Political protests and demonstrations occur regularly, especially in Manila. In September 2025, massive anticorruption protests drew more than 100,000 people in Metro Manila and other cities, responding to allegations of corruption in flood control projects worth over 545 billion pesos. More than 200 people were arrested following clashes between police and masked protesters. Scattered violence occurred with protesters throwing rocks at riot police and setting fire to barricades. In January 2025, the Iglesia ni Cristo held the National Rally for Peace, which drew an estimated 1.5 million attendees at the Quirino Grandstand. Demonstrations can disrupt transport and other essential services. Protests sometimes turn violent without warning, particularly when groups attempt to march toward Malacañang Palace. Clashes may occur between security forces and demonstrators, especially in Mindanao and remote areas of northern Luzon. Filipino law prohibits political activities by foreigners, and participating in demonstrations may result in detention or deportation. Even peaceful demonstrations can escalate quickly. Terrorist attacks could potentially occur at protests and large gatherings.

Areas To Avoid

Western and central Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and Marawi City should be avoided. Multiple governments advise against all travel to these areas due to terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict between security forces and insurgent groups. The Sulu Archipelago and southern Sulu Sea area face very high threats of terrorism and kidnapping, with terrorist and armed groups historically engaging in kidnappings for ransom on land and at sea, in addition to bombings. Marawi City faces ongoing clashes between terrorist group remnants and Philippine security forces. Civilians risk death or injury in these areas. The Zamboanga Peninsula is considered particularly dangerous. Outside Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands, the remainder of Mindanao carries elevated risks. Kidnappings have occurred in central and western Mindanao, with victims sometimes held for years. The threat of piracy in the southern Philippines is high, especially in the Sulu Archipelago. The southern Sulu Sea is one of the world’s piracy and kidnapping hotspots, with attacks and hijacks on commercial vessels and tour boats by pirate gangs often linked to Islamic extremist groups. Even the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for diving, sits in the center of this dangerous area. Emergency services are extremely limited in these regions, with foreign governments unable to provide adequate consular assistance.