Jordan

Recommended Vaccinations For Jordan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

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

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months 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 Jordan

There are no recommendations for Jordan at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Jordan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Jordan.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Jordan.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hanta Virus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis, if visiting ill friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with infected persons.

MERS

There is a risk of acquiring MERS-CoV in this country. Scientists do not fully understand how the MERS virus spreads. It is a viral infection transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected camels or camel-related products. Limited person-to-person transmission through coughing and sneezing from infected persons, typically in healthcare settings, has also been reported. There is currently no vaccine to prevent MERS.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Jordan, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis occurs in Jordan.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. 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.

Safety & Security in Jordan

Personal Safety

Crime levels in Jordan are low by regional and international standards. Petty theft occurs in tourist areas and crowded locations. Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen in Amman’s tourist districts and markets, particularly around downtown and major shopping areas. Credit card fraud and ATM skimming take place. You may encounter aggressive street begging in areas frequented by foreigners. Violent crime against tourists remains uncommon. Scammers operate in tourist locations and sometimes target single women with romance schemes or business proposals. Police and military presence is strong throughout the country, contributing to decreased crime rates. Celebratory gunfire, while illegal, occurs during weddings and celebrations and occasionally causes injuries or deaths. If you hear gunfire during celebrations, stay indoors and away from windows.

Extreme Violence

Jordan faces a persistent terrorism threat due to its proximity to conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks with little warning against tourist locations, transportation hubs, shopping malls, markets, hotels, and government facilities. No terrorist incidents occurred in 2022 or 2023. The last notable attack was in 2019 when a Palestinian man stabbed eight people, including four foreign tourists, at Jerash. In 2016, an attack at Karak Castle killed a Canadian tourist. Jordanian security forces actively thwart plots and have prevented multiple operations. Since early 2021, the General Intelligence Directorate thwarted 34 terrorist operations. ISIS and other extremist groups have demonstrated interest in targeting both hard and soft targets. Enhanced security measures are visible at hotels, shopping malls, and tourist sites throughout the country. The borders with Syria and Iraq remain areas of heightened risk due to spillover violence from regional conflicts. Jordan maintains significant border security operations against cross-border threats. The threat level is comparable to many European countries.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations occur regularly in Jordan, particularly on Thursday evenings near government buildings and after Friday midday prayers near mosques. Since October 2023, protests related to the Gaza conflict have taken place periodically, especially near the Israeli and US embassies in Amman and in cities with large Palestinian populations like Irbid. Most protests are peaceful and contained by security forces, though isolated clashes have occurred. Protests sometimes result in road closures and disruptions to public transportation. In December 2022, nationwide protests over fuel prices led to clashes with police, resulting in the deaths of four police officers and temporary internet disruptions in Ma’an and Karak. The government imposed restrictions on protests including prohibitions on carrying certain banners and limiting participation of those under 18. Anti-western sentiment may be expressed at demonstrations related to regional conflicts. Protests can turn confrontational unexpectedly. Heavy security presence and roadblocks are common during demonstrations. Authorities have arrested activists and journalists covering protests. The situation remains generally stable but can change quickly based on regional developments.

Areas To Avoid

Stay at least 3.5 kilometers away from the Syrian border and 5 kilometers from the Iraqi border due to armed conflict, cross-border violence, and terrorism risks. Avoid areas east of Ruwayshid toward the Iraq border. Unexploded ordnance and landmines exist along both borders, though known minefields are usually fenced and marked. Do not enter Zarqa, Rusayfah, and the Baqa’a neighborhood of Ayn Basha due to terrorism and crime concerns. US government personnel face restrictions on travel to these cities and can only transit on major highways during daylight. Reconsider travel to Ma’an City and areas of Ma’an Governorate east of Highway 15 due to terrorism and crime. Ma’an has been a center of opposition activity and security incidents. Avoid designated Syrian refugee camps including Zaatari and Azraq due to government entry restrictions and unpredictable security. Some camps are located near urban centers and may not be clearly marked. The borders are highly militarized, and government security forces may engage vehicles and people crossing illegally. Main tourist attractions including Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, Aqaba, and the Dead Sea are safe to visit and far from restricted areas.