China Travel Requirements & Vaccinations

China is a country in East Asia that is officially known as the People’s Republic of China. With a population of almost 1.5 billion, it is the world’s most populated country. Its Pacific coastline spans more than 9,000 miles and is banked by the Bohai, Yellow, East China and South China seas. The primary language spoken is Mandarin.

China’s diverse landscape ranges from deserts in the north, subtropical forests in the south, plains and grasslands in the interior, and mountainous regions along the borders of South and Central Asia. The diverse terrain leads to widely varied climates depending on where you are in the country. China is home to the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, two of the longest rivers in the world.

China offers a wide variety of attractions and sightseeing opportunities, including:

• Religious sites and ancient architectures including the Great Wall of China
• Parks, zoos, museums and gardens
• Picturesque coastlines and beaches
• Diverse wildlife and plant life

Recommended Vaccinations for China Travel

• Hepatitis A
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Rabies*

*Rabies vaccination is typically only recommended for very high risk travelers given that it is completely preventable if medical attention is received within 7 – 10 days of an animal bite.

Travelers may also be advised to ensure they have received the routine vaccinations listed below. Some adults may need to receive a booster for some of these diseases:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
• Chickenpox
• Polio
• Influenza

Older adults or those with certain medical conditions may also want to ask about being vaccinated for shingles and/or pneumonia.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a travel medicine professional. Not all of the vaccines listed here will be necessary for every individual.

Talk to the experts at UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health to determine how each member of your family can obtain maximum protection against illness, disease and injury while traveling, based on age, health, medical history and travel itinerary.