Travel Health

Oceania & Pacific vaccine
requirements by country.

Oceania splits cleanly in two from a health perspective. Australia and New Zealand are among the easiest destinations on earth. Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu sit at the other extreme. The remote microstates of the central Pacific fall in between, with Hepatitis A, routine vaccines, and medical evacuation insurance being the common threads throughout.

15 countries covered

✅ Australia & NZ require almost nothing

🏭 PNG & Solomons malaria flagged

💉 Yellow fever transit rules included

⚠️ Vaccine requirements change frequently. Always verify with the destination country's embassy and your national health authority before travel. Consult a travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before departure.

Mandatory entry vaccines for Australia & New Zealand

Both require no vaccines at the border for most visitors

PNG

Highest health risk in Oceania

Malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis all relevant in Papua New Guinea

Yellow Fever transit rules apply

Most Pacific nations require proof of yellow fever vaccination if arriving from or transiting endemic countries in Africa or South America

Evac

Medical evacuation insurance is essential

For Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, outer islands of Micronesia, and remote Pacific destinations, medical facilities are extremely limited

What to Get

Core vaccines for Oceania & Pacific travel

Requirements vary enormously across the region. These are the vaccines that matter most.

🏭

Malaria Prophylaxis

Essential for PNG, Solomons & parts of Vanuatu

Papua New Guinea has high malaria risk throughout the entire country. The Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu also carry significant risk. Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Samoa, Tonga, Palau, and most of Micronesia are malaria-free.

🧔

Hepatitis A

Recommended across most of the Pacific

Food and water safety varies significantly across remote Pacific nations. Recommended for PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, and most smaller island nations. A good precaution everywhere in the Pacific except Australia and New Zealand.

💉

Yellow Fever (transit rule)

Required if arriving from endemic countries

Yellow fever is not endemic to Oceania, but Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and most other Pacific nations require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from or have recently transited sub-Saharan Africa or South America.

💧

Typhoid

Recommended for PNG and remote islands

Important for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, and other remote Pacific island nations where food and water safety is variable. Not needed for Australia, New Zealand, or French Polynesia resort travel.

🌱

Japanese Encephalitis

Consider for PNG and Torres Strait

JE is present in Papua New Guinea and sporadically detected in the Torres Strait Islands of northern Australia. Recommended for longer stays in rural PNG. Not relevant anywhere else in Oceania.

🐕

Rabies

Consider for PNG and extended remote stays

Rabies is present in Papua New Guinea. Pre-exposure vaccination recommended for travelers spending extended time in rural PNG or working with animals far from reliable medical care.

😆

Hepatitis B

Recommended for PNG and remote islands

Recommended for travelers who may receive medical care, get tattoos, or have other potential blood or fluid exposure. Particularly relevant for PNG and remote Pacific islands where medical facilities are limited and blood supply safety may be uncertain.

✅

Routine Vaccines (especially MMR)

Always check before travel

MMR is especially important for the Pacific. Samoa suffered a devastating measles epidemic in 2019. Measles outbreaks have also occurred in Tonga, Marshall Islands, and Micronesia. Check your MMR is current before any Pacific travel.

All 15 Countries

Country-by-country requirements

All Atlas Guide countries in Oceania and the Pacific, listed alphabetically. All country guide links point to the /oceania/ directory on Atlas Guide.

🇦🇺

Australia

Outback adventures and coastal wonders

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from or transiting a country with yellow fever risk in the 6 days before arrival (age 12 months+)

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, Polio)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B

🔵 Also Consider

Japanese Encephalitis (Torres Strait Islands and Cape York Peninsula only)

ⓘ Australia is one of the world's easiest destinations from a health perspective. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, and all major cities carry no significant endemic disease risk. JE is only relevant for the Torres Strait Islands in far north Queensland. The yellow fever requirement applies strictly if you transited an endemic country in the 6 days before arriving.

🇫🇯

Fiji

Tropical paradise and warm island culture

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from or transiting a yellow fever endemic country (age 1+)

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Rabies (for longer stays and remote islands)
Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ Fiji is malaria-free. Resort islands (Mamanuca, Yasawa) and Nadi carry no significant endemic disease risk. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are the key vaccines regardless of where you stay in Fiji. Dengue and Zika are present so mosquito protection is recommended.

🇵🇫

French Polynesia

Bora Bora, overwater bungalows, and turquoise lagoons

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country (age 1+)

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Typhoid (for remote Marquesas or Tuamotu atolls)
Zika awareness (Zika was first identified here in 2013)

ⓘ French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, the Marquesas) is malaria-free and an overseas collectivity of France with French-standard healthcare available in Papeete. Dengue fever and Zika are present throughout the islands. Mosquito repellent is recommended, especially around dawn and dusk.

🇰🇮

Kiribati

The island nation straddling the equator and the date line

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Rabies (for extended stays)
Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ Kiribati (pronounced "Kiribas") spreads across three island chains straddling the equator. It is malaria-free. Medical facilities are extremely limited outside South Tarawa. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccination and comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation cover are essential before visiting.

🇲🇭

Marshall Islands

Remote atolls and nuclear history

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR especially: measles outbreaks have occurred)

🔵 Also Consider

Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ The Marshall Islands is malaria-free. Majuro is the capital and has basic medical facilities. Outer atolls including Bikini Atoll (a UNESCO World Heritage site popular for diving) have extremely limited medical access. Medical evacuation insurance is essential for travel beyond Majuro. Measles outbreaks have occurred in recent years, so ensure MMR is current.

🇫🇲

Micronesia (FSM)

Remote islands and WWII wrecks

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Rabies (for extended stays on remote islands)
Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ The Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, Kosrae) is malaria-free. Chuuk Lagoon's famous WWII wreck diving and Pohnpei carry no significant malaria risk. Medical facilities are limited on remote islands, making Hepatitis A and B vaccination especially important. Medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended.

🇳🇷

Nauru

The world's smallest island nation

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ Nauru is the world's smallest island nation at just 21 km². It is malaria-free. Medical facilities are very limited. Comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance is essential. Flights to Nauru are infrequent with limited connections, making emergency evacuation logistics complex. Plan carefully before travel.

🇳🇿

New Zealand

Adventure in breathtaking landscapes

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from or transiting a yellow fever endemic country within the previous 6 days (age 1+)

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B

🔵 Also Consider

Nothing specific beyond routines

ⓘ New Zealand is one of the world's lowest-risk travel destinations. Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, the Bay of Islands, and Fiordland all carry no significant endemic disease risk. It is malaria-free, rabies-free, and has excellent healthcare. Ensure routine vaccines are up to date and you are essentially done.

🇵🇼

Palau

World-class diving and Jellyfish Lake

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Rabies (for extended stays)
Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ Palau is malaria-free and a relatively well-developed destination by Pacific standards. Koror has reasonable medical facilities. The famous Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake, and Blue Corner dive site carry no significant endemic health risk. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended as a standard precaution regardless of accommodation standard.

🇵🇬

Papua New Guinea

Tribal cultures and untouched jungle

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country 🏭 High malaria risk throughout

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country (age 1+)

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Malaria prophylaxis (high risk throughout including Port Moresby)
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Hepatitis B
Japanese Encephalitis (rural areas)
Rabies
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, Polio)

🔵 Also Consider

Cholera (for humanitarian workers)
Meningococcal

⚠ Papua New Guinea is the most medically complex destination in Oceania by a significant margin. Malaria is high risk throughout the entire country including Port Moresby. Medical facilities outside the capital are extremely limited. Take malaria prophylaxis seriously, get all pre-travel vaccinations well in advance, and ensure comprehensive medical evacuation insurance. Security in Port Moresby and the Highlands requires careful planning before you go.

🇼🇸

Samoa

Polynesian soul and volcanic shores

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country (age 1+)
Measles vaccination proof may be required at entry following the 2019 epidemic

🟡 Strongly Recommended

MMR (essential following the 2019 measles epidemic that killed over 80 people)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (DTP, Polio)

🔵 Also Consider

Zika and Dengue awareness

⚠ Samoa suffered a devastating measles epidemic in 2019 that killed over 80 people, predominantly children. The country takes measles vaccination very seriously and may require proof of MMR vaccination for entry. Ensure your MMR is fully up to date before visiting. Samoa is otherwise malaria-free and generally low risk.

🇸🇧

Solomon Islands

WWII history, coral reefs, and rainforest culture

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country 🏭 High malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Malaria prophylaxis (high risk throughout all major islands including Guadalcanal and Honiara)
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Hepatitis B
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Rabies
Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ The Solomon Islands has one of the highest malaria burdens in the Pacific. Malaria is present across all the main islands including Guadalcanal (Honiara), Gizo, and the Marovo Lagoon dive area. Take prophylaxis seriously throughout your stay. Medical facilities outside Honiara are very limited, making medical evacuation insurance essential.

🇹🇴

Tonga

Polynesian kingdom of islands and humpback whales

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country (age 1+)

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR especially: measles outbreaks have occurred)

🔵 Also Consider

Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ Tonga is malaria-free. The main islands (Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai) carry no significant malaria risk. Medical facilities in Nuku'alofa are reasonable; outer island groups have limited access to care. Measles outbreaks have occurred in Tonga, so ensure MMR is fully up to date before visiting.

🇹🇻

Tuvalu

One of the world's most remote and most threatened nations

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country No malaria risk

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ Tuvalu is malaria-free and one of the most remote and least-visited countries in the world. Funafuti, the capital, has only a small hospital. Medical evacuation insurance is absolutely essential. Flights to Tuvalu are very limited with infrequent connections, making any emergency evacuation planning critical before you travel.

🇻🇺

Vanuatu

Active volcanoes, blue holes, and kastom culture

💉 Yellow Fever if from endemic country 🏭 Malaria risk (rural islands)

🔴 Required for Entry

Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country (age 1+)

🟡 Strongly Recommended

Malaria prophylaxis (risk throughout the archipelago, highest in northern islands: Espiritu Santo, Malekula, Ambae; lower risk in Port Vila on Efate)
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Hepatitis B
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP)

🔵 Also Consider

Rabies (for extended stays and remote island travel)
Zika and Dengue awareness

ⓘ Vanuatu has malaria present across the archipelago but risk varies significantly by island. Port Vila on Efate has a lower risk than the northern islands (Espiritu Santo, Malekula, Tanna). If visiting Tanna to see the Yasur volcano or traveling beyond Port Vila, malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Medical facilities outside Port Vila are very limited.

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Oceania & Pacific vaccinerequirements by country.

Core vaccines for Oceania & Pacific travel

Country-by-country requirements

Ready to explore Oceania?Read the full country guide first.

Oceania & Pacific vaccine
requirements by country.

Ready to explore Oceania?
Read the full country guide first.