The vaccinations recommended for Pakistan travel start with routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and typhoid, according to the CDC, and most travellers now also need a polio vaccination certificate to fly out of the country, a requirement tightened in September 2026. This guide sets out what's recommended, what's required to exit, and what to know about malaria and rabies if you're heading into rural or northern areas.
Vaccines recommended before you go
According to the US CDC's travel health guidance for Pakistan, most travellers should be:
- Up to date on routine vaccines: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTaP/Tdap, polio and influenza.
- Vaccinated for hepatitis A, recommended for almost all travellers to Pakistan regardless of where they're staying.
- Vaccinated for typhoid, also recommended for most travellers. Pakistan has an ongoing outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid, so this one is worth taking seriously rather than skipping.
- Considering hepatitis B, generally suggested for travellers under 60 who haven't already had it.
See a travel medicine provider or your GP 4 to 6 weeks before you fly, since some vaccines need time to take effect and some are given as a course rather than a single dose.
Polio: what changed in September 2026
Pakistan is one of the last countries where wild poliovirus is still circulating, and international travellers departing Pakistan (not entering) need to show proof of polio vaccination. From 14 September 2026, Pakistan tightened this into a single NADRA-integrated vaccination certificate, replacing the paper and clinic-issued documents that used to be accepted at the airport.
- Who needs it: all international travellers leaving Pakistan, of any age, including foreign visitors, not just Pakistani citizens.
- Timing: the polio dose needs to be given between four weeks and twelve months before you leave the country for the certificate to be valid; the certificate itself is valid for one year.
- How to get it: through the NIMS NADRA portal (nims.nadra.gov.pk) or the Pak Vaccination Pass app, for a small processing fee, or at a district health office. Airport vaccination counters exist for travellers who arrive without one, but plan ahead rather than relying on that option.
Build this into your trip from the start rather than discovering it at check-in. If you're already up to date on polio from childhood, a single adult booster is generally enough; unvaccinated travellers need the full course, which takes longer to arrange.
Malaria: relevant outside the high mountains
Malaria risk exists across most of Pakistan below around 2,500 metres, so it applies to Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and most of the plains, but not to the high valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, which generally sit above that altitude. The CDC recommends antimalarial medication such as atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine for travel in the areas at risk, alongside standard precautions against mosquito bites: repellent, covering up in the evenings and sleeping under a net or in a screened room where relevant. Discuss the right option for your itinerary and any other medication you take with a doctor before you travel.
Rabies: worth considering for rural trips
Dogs carrying rabies are present in Pakistan, and post-exposure treatment is not reliably available in rural areas and smaller towns, which makes prevention more important than in a country where hospital care is closer at hand. A pre-exposure rabies vaccination course is generally recommended for travellers who will spend significant time outdoors, in rural areas or away from good medical care, which covers a lot of the northern areas most tourists visit. If you're bitten or scratched by any animal in Pakistan, wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical care promptly rather than waiting to see if it becomes a problem.
Other everyday health basics
- Drink bottled or properly treated water, and be cautious with ice in smaller towns.
- Carry a basic travel medical kit, including rehydration salts, any regular medication with a spare supply, and something for an upset stomach.
- Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, particularly if your trip includes trekking or the northern areas, where the nearest proper hospital can be hours away.
- Altitude affects your health planning too. If your trip includes Khunjerab Pass, Deosai or high trekking routes, altitude, not infectious disease, becomes the bigger practical concern; our travel guide covers altitude alongside the rest of the practical planning for a first trip north.
Frequently asked questions
What vaccinations do I need before travelling to Pakistan?
The CDC recommends being current on routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and typhoid for most travellers, with hepatitis B, rabies and malaria prevention considered depending on where you're going and for how long. See a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
Do I need a polio certificate to leave Pakistan?
Yes. All international travellers departing Pakistan need proof of polio vaccination, now issued as a single NADRA-integrated certificate since 14 September 2026. It is not required to enter the country, only to fly out.
Is malaria a risk in northern Pakistan?
Malaria risk is generally limited to areas below about 2,500 metres, which covers the cities and plains but not most of the high valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan. Check the risk for your specific route with a travel doctor.
Do I need a rabies vaccine for Pakistan?
It's not required, but it's worth considering if your trip involves rural areas, trekking or extended time outdoors, since post-exposure treatment can be hard to reach quickly in remote parts of the country.
Is tap water safe to drink in Pakistan?
No, stick to bottled or properly treated water throughout your trip, including for brushing your teeth, and be cautious with ice outside larger hotels and restaurants.
