Travel to Indonesia can pose some health risks to Westerners who have never been exposed to the disease threats in that region of the world. Before you go to Indonesia, you should make an appointment with your doctor or pay a visit to a travelers' health clinic at least 1 to 2 months in advance of your departure.

Protect yourself from malaria. This is one of the most common threats to travelers' health found in Indonesia. Have your doctor administer a prophylaxis with doxycycline, Malarone or Lariam.

Get a typhoid vaccination. Anyone who plans to consume food or drink that is not prepared at a major hotel or restaurant chain should seek immunization against typhoid.

Immunize yourself against Hepatitis A. This is a must for everyone going to Indonesia.

Get your standard immunizations brought up to date. Ask your doctor for a tetanus and diptheria booster if it's been more than 10 years since your last one. Make sure that your protection against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is current.

Add immunizations for Hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis to your list of vaccinations, if you plan to stay in Indonesia for a prolonged period. These are also a must if your trip is going to bring you into close contact with the locals, particularly in rural regions of the country.

Get yellow fever immunizations if you are coming to Indonesia via a region of the Americas or Africa where yellow fever outbreaks occur.

Consider protecting yourself against rabies as well, especially if your visit to Indonesia might bring you into direct contact with wild animals. The medical care infrastructure in Indonesia is "developing" rather than "fully developed," and travelers should be cognizant of the possibility of falling ill in a region of the country where access to medical care may not be easy to get.