Travel vaccines for Laos, sorted in Urmston
From the Mekong and Luang Prabang to the waterfalls of the south, Laos is a slow, beautiful trip. Pop into Davyhulme Pharmacy and we'll get the health side ready before you fly from Manchester.
1 current health alert for Laos
Laos is one of South-East Asia's gentlest adventures: river boats down the Mekong, the temples and night market in Luang Prabang, tubing and caves around Vang Vieng, and the Bolaven Plateau in the south. It also tends to mean longer overland journeys, rural guesthouses and a fair bit of time outdoors, which is exactly the kind of trip worth a quick vaccine chat before you go.
We're a community pharmacy on Davyhulme Road in Urmston, a short hop from Manchester Airport, so you can sort your jabs close to home without a trek into the city. Tell us your route, how long you're away and whether you're sticking to the towns or heading off the beaten track, and our pharmacist will talk you through what actually makes sense for you.
Vaccines to consider for Laos
What you need depends on your route, how long you're away and what you'll be doing, so treat this as a starting point and let the pharmacist confirm the right list for your trip.
Most travellers
Hepatitis A
Spread through food and water, which is hard to avoid completely in Laos. Recommended for almost everyone.
Most travellers
Typhoid
Another food-and-water infection. Worth having given rural meals, street food and longer stays.
Most travellers
Tetanus, diphtheria & polio
A good moment to check your routine UK boosters are up to date, as a combined top-up covers all three.
Some travellers
Hepatitis B
Often suggested for longer trips, adventurous travel or anyone who might need medical or dental care while away.
Some travellers
Rabies
Dogs and other animals carry rabies in Laos, and treatment can be hard to reach in rural areas. Worth it for longer or remote trips, cyclists and runners.
For some trips
Japanese encephalitis
A mosquito-borne risk in rural, rice-growing areas, mainly for longer stays or the wetter months. We'll judge it against your plans.
Tablets for some areas
Malaria tablets
Not needed everywhere, but advised for some rural and forested border regions. See the malaria section below.
When to come and see us
The earlier the better. Some courses, like rabies or hepatitis B, are given as more than one dose spread over a few weeks, so ideally pop in around six to eight weeks before you fly. That said, please don't write yourself off if Laos has crept up on you. A last-minute appointment is still worth it, as there's often plenty we can do even a few days before departure.
Malaria and mosquito bites
Malaria risk in Laos is patchy rather than countrywide. The main towns and popular spots like Vientiane and Luang Prabang are generally low risk, while some rural, forested and border areas, including parts of the south, carry more. Depending on your exact route the pharmacist may recommend antimalarial tablets, or may decide bite avoidance is enough. Either way, mosquitoes here also spread dengue and, in places, Zika, and there's no jab for those, so covering up, using a good repellent and sleeping under a net or in screened rooms matters for everyone. If you're pregnant or trying to conceive, mention it, as that changes the advice around Zika and around which malaria tablets are suitable.
Yellow fever: what's actually required
There's no yellow fever in Laos, so you don't need the vaccine for the country itself. The only time a certificate comes into it is if you're arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk, for example travelling on from parts of Africa or South America. If Laos is part of a bigger multi-country trip, bring your full itinerary and we'll check whether any certificate rules apply to you.
Staying well day to day
Most travel upsets in Laos come down to food, water and the heat rather than anything exotic. Stick to bottled or treated water, be a bit choosy with street food early on, and carry a small kit with rehydration sachets and something for an unsettled stomach. We can put together a simple travel pack and talk through what to do if you're caught out, so you can relax and enjoy the slow pace.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. Risk varies a lot by area, so tablets are advised for some rural and border regions but often aren't needed if you're mainly in the towns. Tell us your route and the pharmacist will give you a clear yes or no.
No, not for Laos itself, as there's no yellow fever there. You'd only need a certificate if you're arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk, so bring your full itinerary if you're visiting several countries.
Around six to eight weeks is ideal so any multi-dose courses can be completed in good time. If your trip is sooner than that, still come in, as we can usually help and prioritise the most important jabs.
Yes, we look after families travelling together. Bring along their red book or vaccination history if you have it and we'll work out what they need for the trip. Give us a ring on 0161 748 3016 if you'd like to check anything first.
This information is grounded in NHS and TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) guidance and is for general information — not a substitute for a personal consultation. Your travel consultation is carried out by our pharmacist.
Heading to Laos?
Book an appointment at Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston and we'll get your travel vaccines sorted before you fly.