What vaccines do I need for Turkey?

CDC recommends Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and typhoid for most travellers to Turkey. Your doctor may also discuss rabies if you'll be around stray dogs or doing rural travel.

Is yellow fever required for Turkey?

Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Proof is required for travellers aged 1 year and older.

How long before travel to Turkey 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 Turkey — Required & Recommended

All destinations

Planning a trip to Turkey? CDC recommends Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and typhoid vaccines for most travellers because food and water hygiene varies once you leave large hotels and resorts. Rabies may come up if you'll be around stray dogs or doing rural travel — Turkey has working populations of street dogs in many cities. See a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before departure so they can match the plan to your trip.

Turkey has no malaria. West Nile virus and tick-borne diseases are present in summer in some regions; mosquito and tick precautions are sensible if you're spending time outdoors between May and October.

Required for entry

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

Exception: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination — If arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof required for travellers aged 1 year and older.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to Turkey.

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.

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.

The full series is three doses over 6 months. An accelerated 4-dose schedule (0, 7, 21 days, 12 months) is available when combined with Hepatitis A. Partial protection starts after the first dose.

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.

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.

Malaria

Not a vaccine

No active malaria transmission in Turkey. Historic risk in southeastern provinces is no longer considered significant by CDC.

Discuss prescription chemoprophylaxis with a travel doctor if your itinerary includes risk areas.

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.

Passport validity6 months beyond travel

Yellow fever certificateOnly if arriving from a YF-risk country

Standard food and water precautions apply, especially outside large hotels. Stray dog populations are common in many cities, which is the main reason rabies may come up. West Nile virus and tick-borne diseases are present in summer; sensible mosquito and tick precautions matter if you spend time outdoors May to October.

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Turkey.

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.