Travel Vaccines and Advice for the Cook Islands
With 15 regions, the Cook Islands present countless opportunities to explore cave pools, beaches and Polynesian culture.
The Cook Islands are also the second largest pearl farming producer in the world. Manihiki is the main location for the territory’s many local family-run pearl farms. The island is made up of 40 small coral inlets which encircle a tremendous blue lagoon.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for the Cook Islands?
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to the Cook Islands?
What Is the Climate Like in the Cook Islands?
How Safe are the Cook Islands?
Take a Dip in Mitiaro’s Underground Cave Pools
What Should I Pack for the Cook Islands?
Canadian Embassy for the Cook Islands
Do I Need Vaccines for the Cook Islands?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for the Cook Islands. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for the Cook Islands: typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, 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. - 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 the Cook Islands |
||
| 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. |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
Routine Vaccinations for the Cook Islands |
||
| 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 fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, is a serious illness transmitted through contaminated food and water. Prevention strategies include vaccination as well as practicing strict hygiene and safe food handling.
- Hepatitis A – Hepatitis A, a liver infection caused by a contagious virus, can have severe symptoms. To prevent its spread, vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine is essential, along with maintaining hygiene practices. This vaccine effectively protects against infection.
- 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, a liver infection spread through bodily fluids, poses a significant health risk. Safe practices help, but vaccination is the ultimate safeguard. It prompts the immune system to produce antibodies, ensuring strong and persistent protection.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Measles, mumps, and rubella are highly infectious diseases that can lead to complications like pneumonia and encephalitis. To combat these threats, vaccination with the MMR vaccine is imperative. This two-dose vaccine not only shields individuals but also contributes to herd immunity, reducing the risk of outbreaks.
Dengue is present on the islands. Make sure to bring repellents and mosquito netting.
See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.
Other Ways to Stay Healthy in Cook Islands
Prevent Bug Bites in Cook Islands
Protect yourself from bug bites by wearing long clothing and using PHAC-recommended repellents like DEET or picaridin. Avoid bug-prone areas during peak hours to reduce the risk.
Food and Water Safety in Cook Islands
When abroad, ensure food safety by avoiding street vendors, practicing hand hygiene, and opting for thoroughly cooked dishes. Choose bottled or canned drinks with intact seals. To prevent travellers’ diarrhea, maintain hand hygiene, avoid raw foods, and dine at trustworthy restaurants.
Infections To Be Aware of in Cook Islands
- Dengue – Dengue fever is a significant global health concern. Symptoms can escalate from mild fever to life-threatening conditions. Preventing mosquito bites is key to avoidance, with recommendations including repellent and netting use.
- Zika – Zika, a mosquito-borne virus, can lead to severe health issues and is primarily spread through mosquito bites. To prevent Zika, individuals should use mosquito repellent and wear protective clothing while travelling, and pregnant women should avoid affected areas and practice safe sex.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to the Cook Islands?
A passport which is valid for 6 months from the expected departure date is required to enter the country. A tourist visa is not required for up to 30 days and a business visa is not required for up to 21 days. All passengers must have proof of sufficient funds, proof of accommodations, as well as an onward/ return ticket.
Cook Islands Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Cook Islands? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | ||
Sources: Embassy of Cook Islands 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 the Cook Islands?
The Cook Islands have a tropical climate with high, stable temperatures year round.
The territory has a rainy season with afternoon storms from December to March and a dry season from April to November. The wet season is also hurricane season.
There is little temperature difference between the seasons. The average temperature is 25, while the average low is around 20.
February is typically the warmest month for the Cook Islands while August is the coolest. January is the wettest month while July is the driest.
How Safe are the Cook Islands?
The Cook Islands are a very safe travel destination.
Swimming in sheltered lagoons is fine but reef passages can have very strong currents to be avoided.
The Cook Islands’ major island, Rarotonga, has major reef passages at Avana Harbour, Avaavaroa, Papua, and Rutaki. The other islands have reef passages as well, typically on opposite streams.
Be wary of bug bites as they can lead to dengue fever.
Take a Dip in Mitiaro’s Underground Cave Pools
Avoid an Embarrassing Stop
Over 70% of travellers
will have diarrhea.
Get protected with Passport Health’s
travellers’ diarrhea kit!
Mitiaro is one of the 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands. But, it is unique in that it is known for its underground cave pools.
The heart of the island it is very flat and swampy. It has two freshwater lakes, Rotunui and Rotoiti, which are filled with eels and tilapia.
One of the most popular island spots is the underground cavern Vai Nouri. The cavern is said to have healing powers and possess water that is strikingly deep and clear. Travellers and locals alike can go to many points along the coast to discover and enjoy countless small coves with ample opportunities to take a dip in the tranquil waters. see the reef, explore the caves, relax on the beaches, and enjoy sights few get to see.
Tourists can get a wonderful cultural experience by staying with welcoming locals. Because the island is rarely visited, travellers can expect a quiet and beautiful experience.
What Should I Pack for the Cook Islands?
Think ahead on what to pack by perusing these suggestions:
- Appropriate Clothing – The Cook Islands can often be hot and humid. Be sure to pack accordingly 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 – Be sure to have important first aid kit items while travelling. Consider using a pre-made first aid kit for your trip.
- Bug Repellent – With the possibility of dengue fever in the Cook Islands it is especially important to ward against mosquito bites.
Canadian Embassy for the Cook Islands
Canada currently does not have a residential government office in the Cook Islands. The High Commission of Canada in Wellington, New Zealand provides consular services to those travelling to the Cook Islands.
High Commission of Canada in New Zealand
Level 11, 125 The Terrace,
Wellington 6011,
New Zealand
+64 4 473-9577
Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Call or book online now and start travelling safely today!
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for the Cook Islands
“The nurse was very pleasant and knowledgeable from the minute we got there. She first found out about us, then proceeded to go through the places where we are travelling in the Cook Islands and explained the high risk areas and what shots were recommended for that area. She explained costs with no pressure. After agreeing to the shots we worked out a schedule for the next app and going over what needed we would be getting on that day. We received two shots today and made sure we were fine before leaving. She also made sure we iced our arms before leaving. We were very happy with the nurse and our experience.”
“The staff is great. Very knowledgeable, competent and friendly. Very reassuring when travelling to a less known destination like the Cook Islands.”
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