Health when studying in the Philippines splits into two parts: preparing before you leave, such as vaccines and medicines, and what to do about hospitals and insurance if you fall ill or get hurt there. This article sets out what the US CDC and the WHO say, and what schools write on their official pages. Checked on 31 October 2026.
In short
The CDC’s Philippines page lists hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid vaccines and asks travelers to keep routine vaccines up to date. It also suggests reviewing your health insurance and considering travel health and medical evacuation insurance. Some schools require travel insurance. Talk to your own doctor or a travel clinic about vaccines and medicines, and do it early.
Vaccines the CDC lists for the Philippines
For the whole process, see our guide to studying English in the Philippines. This article focuses on illness and injury and quotes what public agencies say.
This article is not medical advice. Ask your own doctor or a travel clinic whether you need any vaccine or medicine.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the Philippines says to make sure you are up to date on routine vaccines before every trip. It lists MMR among them and says all international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles.
The page lists hepatitis A (for unvaccinated travelers aged one year or older) and hepatitis B (for unvaccinated travelers of all ages). Typhoid is “recommended for most travelers”. Rabies vaccination before travel depends on the person, and the CDC asks readers to consult a healthcare provider.
For Japanese encephalitis, the CDC recommends vaccination for travelers who spend a month or more in affected areas, and does not recommend it for short trips to urban areas. The CDC also says to visit your doctor at least a month before your trip.
Mosquitoes, malaria and animal bites
The WHO says that you can lower your risk of dengue by avoiding mosquito bites, especially during the day. The CDC says insects can spread a number of diseases in the Philippines and that many cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine.
On malaria, the CDC recommends prescription medicine for travelers going to certain areas. It lists the province of Palawan and the Mindanao island group as transmission areas, and says there is no transmission in metropolitan Manila or other urban areas. It asks travelers to talk to a doctor about which medicine to take.
The CDC says dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in the Philippines and that all animals can pose a threat. If you are bitten or scratched, it says to wash the wound with soap and clean water and to go to a doctor right away.
To prevent insect bites, the CDC suggests the following.
- Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET
- Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms
- Use a bed net if the place where you sleep is open to the outdoors
Health care, medicines and documents
The CDC suggests planning for medical care before you travel. It lists a few points.
- Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination
- Carry a card that gives your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of your medicines
- Bring the medicines you think you might need, because medicines in some countries may be substandard or counterfeit
Travel insurance: what the CDC says
The CDC suggests that you review your health insurance plan to see which medical services it would cover during your trip. It also suggests considering travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
What schools’ official pages say
Insurance and what happens when you feel unwell are described differently from school to school. Here is what the official pages say.
- Well English Academy (Dumaguete): its table of fees paid locally lists travel insurance as “individual enrollment” and “required”.
- Merise English Academy (Cebu): it recommends travel insurance for injury and illness during the stay. It offers a weekly doctor visit for those who want it, and says the visit requires insurance that supports cashless treatment. It also says a hospital about 10 minutes from the school by taxi has Japanese staff (a Japanese help desk).
- Target Global English Academy: it says it points students to a general hospital with a Japanese medical interpreting service.
- B&D English School: it says that if a student falls ill, staff accompany them to the hospital and help with translation.
- Grandline (Manila): it lists travel insurance under other costs you need. It says the orientation after arrival covers meals, shopping, medical institutions, banks and weekend leisure.
What to check with the school before you apply
When you ask a school about this, check these four points.
- Whether travel insurance is required and whether you arrange it yourself
- The name of the partner hospital and how far it is from the school
- How hospital costs are paid (up front, or cashless under your insurance)
- Who to contact at night or on weekends when you feel unwell
Next step: check insurance and hospitals on the school’s official page
Pick the schools you are interested in from the list of schools in the Philippines, then check how each handles insurance and hospitals on its official page and by asking.
For preparation before you leave, see what to do in the eight weeks before departure. For safety, see safety when studying in the Philippines. For the whole process, see the guide to studying English in the Philippines.
