Travel Vaccines and Advice for South Korea

• Typhoid – Salmonella Typhi causes typhoid, a severe infection transmitted via contaminated food and water. Vaccination is recommended for travelers and those with elevated infection risks. Practicing proper hygiene and safe food handling can also reduce the likelihood of contracting typhoid.
• Hepatitis A – Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), is a contagious liver infection. It spreads through contaminated food, water, and close contact. Preventive measures include vaccination, good hygiene, and avoiding raw shellfish. The hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective, requiring two doses for long-term protection.
• Japanese Encephalitis – Japanese encephalitis, transmitted by mosquitoes, can impact the central nervous system. Prevention strategies include mosquito management, protective clothing, and vaccination, offering two choices: inactivated and live attenuated vaccines. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is the best form of protection against the virus.
• Tick-borne Encephalitis – Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a neurological viral infection transmitted by ticks. Combating TBE involves tick bite prevention and, critically, vaccination if visiting areas with the disease.
• Rabies – Rabies, a deadly viral disease, spreads via bites or scratches from infected animals. Vaccination is the cornerstone of prevention, including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for suspected exposures and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals with regular animal contact or travelers.
• Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B, caused by the hepatitis B virus, spreads through infected bodily fluids. While safe practices can reduce the risk, vaccination is the most reliable defense. The hepatitis B vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies, ensuring robust and long-lasting protection against this liver disease.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are viral infections with distinct symptoms. They spread through respiratory droplets and close contact. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent MMR infections, with the MMR vaccine offering protection against all three diseases.

Malaria is present in the northern regions of South Korea from March to December, this includes in and around the DMZ. Malaria parasite are resistant to chloroquine in the region. Be sure to consult with a travel health specialist on which antimalarials are best for your itinerary and health situation.

Most trips to Seoul, Busan, or Jeju carry little risk beyond a stray mosquito bite. That changes near South Korea’s northern border, where the CDC notes a small malaria risk in Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do and parts of Incheon near the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Rice-farming regions also carry a Japanese encephalitis risk for travelers staying a month or longer or spending extensive time outdoors.

Follow these precautions if your itinerary includes rural or border-area travel:

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin before extended hikes or camping trips.
• Sleep in a screened or air-conditioned room, since not all accommodations outside major hotels have window screens.
• Wear long sleeves and pants in grassy or wooded areas, and tuck pants into socks.
• Check your skin for ticks after time outdoors, and remove any you find with tweezers right away.

A Passport Health travel specialist can help you decide whether your specific itinerary calls for antimalarials or the Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

South Korea’s tap water causes far less illness than in other destinations. But, hepatitis A and typhoid still spread through contaminated food regardless of how well the local water is treated. The CDC recommends both vaccines for most travelers, with typhoid especially important for anyone staying with friends or relatives or spending time in smaller towns and rural areas.

Tap water in Seoul, Busan, and other major cities meets international treatment standards, and most travelers can drink it without issue. Many older buildings still run on aging pipes. Most Koreans filter, boil or buy bottled water instead of drinking straight from the tap. Bottled water is cheap and sold at convenience stores on nearly every block.

Food safety follows a simple rule: if it’s fully cooked and served hot, it’s low risk. Street food is one of South Korea’s biggest draws, from Gwangjang Market’s bindaetteok stalls to late-night Myeongdong vendors, most of it prepared fresh in front of you. Stick to stalls with a steady line of customers, and be more cautious with raw seafood and food that’s been sitting out.

These habits lower your risk, but they don’t replace vaccination. A Passport Health travel specialist can confirm you’re up to date on hepatitis A and typhoid before you go, and help you decide which other vaccines fit your itinerary.

• Hantavirus – The hantavirus spreads through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. Farmers and soldiers working in rural fields carry the highest exposure risk. Avoid entering rodent-infested spaces, and don’t sleep on the ground in rural or agricultural areas.
• Leptospirosis – This bacterial infection spreads through water or soil contaminated with infected animal urine. Risk climbs during South Korea’s summer monsoon season, when flooding and heavy rain are common. Avoid wading or swimming in floodwater or slow-moving fresh water after storms.
• Tuberculosis (TB) – TB spreads through the air when someone with active disease coughs, speaks, or sings nearby. South Korea has one of the highest TB rates among developed nations, despite years of steady decline. Extended stays involving close indoor contact, such as long-term work or study, carry more risk than a typical short visit.