Vaccines Required for Traveling to Sri Lanka

Did you know that you are required to show proof of vaccinations before your Sri Lanka eTA is granted? Sri Lanka is a small island country located south of the Indian Subcontinent. It has a rich culture and beautiful natural scenery which you can enjoy during your visit.

However, before you are allowed entry within Sri Lanka’s borders, you have to provide certain documents to the Sri Lankan government’s authorities. One of these documents used to be the vaccination certificates for many diseases, but presently, only a few of such vaccinations are necessary to travel to Sri Lanka.

Even with the eased restrictions, health authorities strongly urge people to vaccinate themselves. So, if you are wondering what these required vaccinations are or why these certificates were mandatory before, keep reading as we’ll discuss all the vaccines required for Sri Lanka travel.

Why Should You Get Vaccinated Before Your Sri Lanka Visit?

While Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with many great natural scenery spots, this same natural beauty is also the cause of many diseases that plague the country’s population. In particular, Sri Lanka has a history of diseases caused by mosquito bites in particular. Diseases like dengue are very prevalent in Sri Lanka.

Malaria was once very rampant in Sri Lanka, and it was mandatory for foreign travelers to vaccinate themselves against it. After 2016, the government and other health institutions decided to remove the mandatory requirement for Malaria vaccinations. Subsequently, people began claiming that the disease had completely eradicated from the country.

Health authorities strongly encourage vaccination against all mosquito-borne diseases despite these factors. Additionally, we advise you to take necessary precautions to protect yourself from mosquito bites while in Sri Lanka. For Latin-American and African tourists, it is mandatory to get a yellow fever vaccination but, check this information on the government’s website as this requirement has been changed several times.

Many parts of Sri Lanka do not adhere to standard levels of hygiene. So, while you can avoid catching diseases in Sri Lanka through preventive measures. Vaccinating yourself against such diseases serves as the most effective preventive measure against the many illnesses in Sri Lanka.

Which Vaccinations Should I Get Before Visiting Sri Lanka?

When it comes to which particular diseases you should get vaccinated against before you visit Sri Lanka. The top priorities should yellow fever. Tourists visiting Sri Lanka from countries recognized by its government as high-risk for yellow fever must provide proof of vaccination before entering the country. Travelers must provide proof of vaccination before government authorities allow them entry into the country. Other diseases that you should get vaccinations for are:

• Tetanus: This is a dangerous disease that can occur from getting cut by dirty and rusty objects like roads, old metal objects, etc. which are very common in Sri Lanka.
• Typhoid: A disease caused by the consumption of dirty water. This is a common disease in Sri Lanka due to low standards of hygiene.
• Poliomyelitis: Also known as polio, this disease is not only an issue in Sri Lanka but the entire southeast Asia.
• Measles: A common disease that affects the respiratory organs of the body. Health authorities highly recommend vaccinating yourself against this disease.
• Diphtheria: Diphtheria is an infection of the nose, throat, and skin.
• Hepatitis A: A highly contagious liver disease that spreads from close contact with an infected person.

The above-mentioned list comprises some of the most common diseases that can affect you during your journey through Sri Lanka. For those of you who wish to explore the villages and other areas in the countryside, you can get these additional vaccinations for extra safety:

• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese B encephalitis

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates

In Sri Lankan laws, there is no explicit mention of getting vaccinations; however, the government has made several policies to keep the yellow fever out of the country.

As discussed previously, it is mandatory for tourists from countries with a high risk of yellow fever to get vaccinations. Government officials must verify the evidence before allowing individuals into the country.

The mosquito that is responsible for causing yellow fever is present within Sri Lanka which is the reason behind these strict regulations. If you wish to apply for a 30-day Sri Lanka eTA. Vaccinate yourself 4-6 weeks before your date of arrival to comply with the requirement. However, if you wish to apply for an eTA that is for longer periods. Then you have to get vaccination even earlier.

People above the age of 9 months are required to get this vaccination. If they either belong to a country with a high risk of yellow fever or spent at least 12 hours within such a country. If you wish to see a full list of countries recognized by Sri Lanka as having a high risk of yellow fever, you can check the same on the government’s website.

Is Certificate of Vaccination for COVID-19 Required Anymore?

During 2020, COVID-19 started spreading all over the world. To curb the spread of this disease in Sri Lanka, the government modified its policies, implementing strict measures to ensure that every traveler has to go through a designated quarantine period at hotels chosen for this task and regular PCR tests to confirm that the tourist is not infected with COVID 19.

For tourists who had vaccinated, these restrictions were more lax. In the present day however, these restrictions have completely lifted. You no longer need to go through a quarantine period or provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter Sri Lanka.

Health authorities urge travelers to vaccinate themselves properly, as other preventive measures alone are less effective in Sri Lanka. This is primarily due to the high mosquito population and the low hygiene standards in several regions. In particular, vaccinate yourself from diseases caused by mosquito bites, consumption of unhygienic food, and injuries from rusted and dusty materials.

Remember to check the list of countries that are considered high risk for yellow fever and get yourself vaccinated against any possible disease before embarking on your journey.

READ MORE:
Sri Lanka just looks like a small island from an aerial view but for travelers, it has many attractions that need at least 2 weeks to explore. For wildlife lovers, culture enthusiasts, history buffs, and beachgoers, Sri Lanka has something to offer everyone. Read more at How Many Days Are Enough to Explore Sri Lanka.