Travel Vaccines and Advice for Christmas Island
Christmas Island gets its name from Captain William Mynors who passed it on his ship on Christmas Day 1643.
Christmas Island has 411 recorded plant species with 18 of them being native. The territory also has 20 varieties of crabs and eight species or subspecies of sea birds. Birds like the Abbott’s Booby and the Christmas Island Frigatebird are endangered species which make their homes on the island.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Christmas Island?
Other Ways to Stay Healthy in Christmas Island
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Christmas Island?
What Is the Climate Like in Christmas Island?
How Safe Is Christmas Island?
Witness the Spectacular Red Crab Migration
What Should I Pack for Christmas Island?
Canadian Embassy in Australia
Do I Need Vaccines for Christmas Island?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Christmas Island. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Christmas Island: typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, yellow fever, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Due to an increase in cases globally, an additional adult booster is recommended for most travellers to any destination. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Excludes the Galapagos in Ecuador and Misiones in Argentina. - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travellers to most regions. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - COVID-19 –
Airborne –
Recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Meningitis –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
See the table below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Christmas Island |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Due to an increase in cases globally, an additional adult booster is recommended for most travellers to any destination. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Excludes the Galapagos in Ecuador and Misiones in Argentina. |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
Routine Vaccinations for Christmas Island |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| COVID-19 | Airborne | Recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Meningitis | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
Specific Vaccine Information
- Typhoid – Typhoid, a bacterial infection, is primarily transmitted through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with infected people. Vaccination is a key preventive measure, recommended for travellers to endemic regions and those at risk due to occupation.
- Hepatitis A – Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, typically spreading through contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice. The hepatitis A vaccine is a safe and effective shot that provides immunity against the virus, usually given in two doses.
- Rabies – Rabies, a lethal viral infection, is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Vaccination is paramount for prevention, involving post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for potential exposures and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those at heightened risk, such as travellers.
- Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B prevention relies on vaccination as the most effective measure, recommended for all travellers and critical for healthcare workers. Practicing safe sex and using sterile equipment for body modifications are also key in reducing transmission risks.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Measles, mumps, and rubella are infectious diseases that can lead to severe health issues. They are transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact. The MMR vaccine, a safe and effective immunization, is recommended by the PHAC as the best way to prevent these diseases.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Other Ways to Stay Healthy in Christmas Island
Prevent Bug Bites in Christmas Island
In case of bug bites, cleanse the area, use anti-itch treatments, and resist scratching to prevent infection. Seek medical help for severe reactions or if symptoms of vector-borne diseases emerge post-bite.
Food and Water Safety in Christmas Island
When travelling, prioritize food safety with PHAC’s advice: consume fully cooked foods, avoid raw seafood, and pick clean eateries. Opt for bottled drinks, exercise caution with ice, and practice responsible alcohol consumption. Prevent travellers’ diarrhea by maintaining good hand hygiene and avoiding street food in unsanitary conditions.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Christmas Island?
Because Christmas Island is an Australian territory, they follow all entrance requirements for Australia.
Canadians must present a passport which is valid the day of entrance to the country. A visa is required for all business and tourism purposes. A health exam may be required to obtain this visa.
Christmas Island Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Christmas Island? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Christmas Island and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What Is the Climate Like in Christmas Island?
Christmas Island has a warm, tropical climate with even temperatures year round.
Humidity in the territory is around 80 to 90% with trade winds coming from the southeast.
The wet season is from November to April, with storms and some swells during the period. February is the wettest month.
The dry season is from May to October.
April is the hottest month with temperatures in the 20’s. Temperatures only fluctuate between 20 and 25 all year long.
How Safe Is Christmas Island?
Due to Christmas Island’s terrain, it is important to be safe when hiking and exploring. Keep to tracks, visitor areas, and roads – it is very easy to get lost in the rain forest. Carry plenty of drinking water and small snacks with you. Always follow instructions and advice from park rangers and pay attention to signs.
Some roads are meant for four-wheel-drive only, with steep, narrow or slippery sections. You should also watch out for crab migration over roads.
Remember that beaches are not patrolled by lifeguards. You must watch out for swell, rips, undertows, and large waves yourself. The only beach location Parks Australia recommends is Flying Fish Cove.
Witness the Spectacular Red Crab Migration
Avoid an Embarrassing Stop
Over 70% of travellers
will have diarrhea.
Get protected with Passport Health’s
travellers’ diarrhea kit!
Christmas Island has 40 species of crabs. The most famous is gecarcoidea natalis, the Christmas Island red crab. Around 40-50 million red crabs live on the island. Though many are a charming bright red, some are orange with a few rare purple crabs existing as well.
Most of the year the crabs like to stay in the many shady spots of Christmas Island. But, once a year the red crabs come out in hordes to migrate to mate. The most common months for this spectacular event range are October to December. But, it can sometimes be later in January.
What Should I Pack for Christmas Island?
Think ahead on what to pack by perusing these suggestions:
- Appropriate Clothing – Christmas Island can be warm and humid. Be sure to pack for the time of year and the activities you wish to do. Consider items such as sunscreen, water-protective gear, and bathing suits.
- Health Kit – It is always useful to have important first aid kit items while travelling. This includes as bandages and antibacterial wipes. The advises bring a traveller’s diarrhea kit to help deal with the effects of the illness should it be necessary.
- Insect Repellent – With chikungunya being present on the Christmas Island repellent is a must.
Canadian Embassy in Australia
Because Christmas Island is an Australian Territory the embassy in Australia handles all representations for Christmas Island.
High Commission of Canada in Australia
Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra, ACT 2600
Australia
(+61) (2) 6270 4000
Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Christmas Island
“The nurse did a very good job explaining the need to have specific vaccinations for different destinations, and administered a Hep A booster for my trip to Christmas Island. I will use passport services again in the future.”
“This is the second time I have visited the Passport Health in Calgary (downtown) and it is a great clinic. The folks there are very knowledgeable about any destination (including for my trip to Christmas Island) and helpful and the location is very convenient to get to from my downtown office.”
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