

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.
Do I Need Vaccines for Christmas Island?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Christmas Island. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Christmas Island: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- COVID-19 –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travelers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travelers
to most regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Excludes the Galapagos in Ecuador and Misiones in Argentina. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - 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. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Christmas Island |
||
VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
---|---|---|
COVID-19 | Airborne & Direct Contact | Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination |
Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Excludes the Galapagos in Ecuador and Misiones in Argentina. |
Routine Vaccinations for Christmas Island |
||
VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
---|---|---|
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
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. |
Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Chikungunya is also on the island. Take steps to protect yourself with mosquito repellent and netting.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Christmas Island?
As a part of Australia, the Christmas Island follows that countries entry requirements. A visa, or electronic travel authority, is required for travel.
Christmas Island Entry Requirements |
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Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Christmas Island? | |
---|---|---|
Passport | ![]() |
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Tourist Visa | ![]() |
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Business Visa | ![]() |
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Vaccinations |
Sources: Embassy of Christmas Island and U.S. State Department
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 70’s. Temperatures only fluctuate between the high-60’s and low-80’s 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 travelers
will have diarrhea.
Get protected with Passport Health’s
travelers’ 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 traveling. This includes as bandages and antibacterial wipes. The advises bring a traveler’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.
U.S. Embassy in Australia
All Americans visiting the Christmas Island should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
There is no embassy on Christmas Island, but the Australian embassy serves the island.
U.S. Embassy Canberra
Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Telephone: (02) 6214-5600
Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Christmas Island
Overall rating: 5 stars – 2 reviews
★★★★★
“Great Job!“
“The nurse was very helpful and knowledgeable concerning all vaccines. She guided me through all options leaving me confident that I will be thoroughly protected while traveling to Christmas Island. I will highly recommend the Passport Health facility in Providence.”
Submitted by: Judy
★★★★★
“Best experience – EVER!!“
“I was unsure what to expect from a travel clinic. What a surprise when the nurse not only answered every question I had about the necessary vaccinations for Christmas Island, but was sweet and honest about the recommendations based on the excursions we had planned. The facility is pleasant and extremely clean and I couldn’t have asked for a more professional, quick vaccination. Thank you!”
Submitted by: Tamara
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for 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?
U.S. Embassy in Australia
“The nurse was very helpful and knowledgeable concerning all vaccines. She guided me through all options leaving me confident that I will be thoroughly protected while traveling to Christmas Island. I will highly recommend the Passport Health facility in Providence.”
“I was unsure what to expect from a travel clinic. What a surprise when the nurse not only answered every question I had about the necessary vaccinations for Christmas Island, but was sweet and honest about the recommendations based on the excursions we had planned. The facility is pleasant and extremely clean and I couldn’t have asked for a more professional, quick vaccination. Thank you!”
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for 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?
U.S. Embassy in Australia