What vaccines do I need for Bahrain?

CDC recommends hepatitis A and typhoid for most travellers, plus hepatitis B and rabies for some travellers.

How long before travel to Bahrain should I get vaccines?

Book a travel health appointment 4–6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need multiple doses or a minimum interval before travel, so earlier is better.

Vaccines for Bahrain — Required & Recommended

Q: Is yellow fever required for Bahrain?

Only conditionally. A yellow fever certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months and older arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. It is not required for direct travel from the United States.

When are you departing?

Planning a trip to Bahrain? CDC recommends most travellers have hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines, with hepatitis B and rabies suggested for some travellers. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. See a travel health professional 4–6 weeks before departure.

Required for entry

No vaccines are currently required for entry to Bahrain from most countries.

Exception: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination — Required for travellers aged 9 months and older arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever virus transmission.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to Bahrain.

Food & Water

Hepatitis A

A contagious liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Most travellers to regions with less reliable sanitation should get this vaccine.

Two doses at 0 and 6–12 months. Over 90% of people develop protective antibodies within a month of the first dose, so one dose is usually enough for the trip itself. No booster needed after the full series.

Food & Water

Typhoid

A bacterial infection spread through food and water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Risk is higher in rural areas and when eating with locals.

The injected vaccine is a single dose at least 2 weeks before travel and lasts 2 years. The oral version is four capsules taken every other day, completed at least a week before travel, and lasts 5 years. Neither is 100% effective — safe food and water habits still matter.

Recommended for some travellers

Depends on your itinerary, activities, duration, or health.

Blood & Body Fluids

Hepatitis B

A liver infection spread through blood, sexual contact, and contaminated medical or cosmetic equipment. Recommended for most travellers, especially those with longer stays or possible medical exposure.

Animal Contact

Rabies

A fatal viral disease spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal — most often dogs, bats, or monkeys. Pre-travel vaccination simplifies treatment after exposure.

Food & water safety

High risk

Tap water and ice are generally unsafe. Stick to sealed bottled water, boiled water, or water from a reliable filtration system. Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruit, raw shellfish, and street food from vendors with poor hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly before eating.

Routine vaccines to be up to date on

CDC advises every international traveller to have these current.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Two doses at least 28 days apart, ideally completed at least 2 weeks before travel. Adults born before 1957 or with documented immunity are already considered protected.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis

A single Tdap or Td booster, effective within days. Adults should have a booster every 10 years — or after 5 years if you've had a dirty wound or burn. Pregnant travellers should receive Tdap during every pregnancy.

Polio

A single lifetime adult IPV booster for travellers to at-risk countries. For some destinations, the booster must be received 4 weeks to 12 months before departure and documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination.

Flu (Influenza)

An annual dose at least 2 weeks before travel to areas with active flu circulation. A single current-season vaccine covers travel to either hemisphere.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Two doses at least 28 days apart for adolescents and adults without immunity. Children get doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years. Two documented doses protect most people for life.

Shingles

Two doses of Shingrix 2–6 months apart. Protection stays high for at least 7 years. Adults 19+ with weakened immune systems can use a faster schedule (2nd dose 1–2 months after).

COVID-19

Follow the current CDC schedule for your age and risk group. If you had COVID-19 recently, you may delay vaccination for up to 3 months from the onset of infection.

Entry requirements

For US citizens. Non-US travellers should check their government's guidance.

Yellow fever certificateOnly if arriving from a YF-risk country

Follow standard safe food and water precautions. Use an insect repellent containing 20% or more DEET and wear protective clothing to prevent bug-borne diseases.

Also in Middle East

United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Jordan Israel

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Bahrain.

Disclaimer:This information is for general guidance only, based on CDC Travelers' Health. It does not replace advice from a qualified travel health professional. Consult a doctor 4–6 weeks before your trip.