What vaccines do I need for Serbia?

CDC advises staying current with routine vaccines and considering hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Some travellers may also need tick-borne encephalitis or rabies depending on their activities.

How long before travel to Serbia 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 Serbia — Required & Recommended

Q: Is yellow fever required for Serbia?

No. Yellow fever vaccination is neither required nor recommended for Serbia.

When are you departing?

For travellers to Serbia, CDC advises staying up to date with routine immunisations and considering hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. Some travellers may also need tick-borne encephalitis or rabies, depending on planned activities. Yellow fever vaccination is neither required nor recommended. See a travel health doctor 4-6 weeks before departure.

Tick-borne encephalitis risk is highest during the warmer months when ticks are active.

Required for entry

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

Recommended for some travellers

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

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.

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

Tick-borne Encephalitis

A viral brain infection spread by tick bites in parts of Europe and northern Asia. Worth considering for outdoor travellers planning hiking, camping, or forest activities in affected regions.

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

Moderate risk

Exercise food and water precautions, particularly in rural areas and budget accommodation. Bottled or treated water is advisable. Avoid raw shellfish and salads washed in tap water. Choose cooked food served hot.

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 certificateNot required

Avoid contaminated water and soil (leptospirosis) and prevent tick and sand fly bites, which can transmit Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and leishmaniasis. Avoid rodents and sick people.

Also in Southern Europe

Albania Andorra Azores Bosnia and Herzegovina

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Serbia.

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.