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Travel Vaccines and Advice for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

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Cocos
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Cocos (Keeling) Islands is an external territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean to the west of Australia. The islands consist of 27 coral islands, but only two are inhabited: West and Home Island.

Only 600 people are official residents of the Cocos, with the majority of people living in Bantam.

A majority of the population practices Sunni Islam and speak a native dialect of Malay. English is also a native language.

About 400 people live in Bantam on Home Island and 200 live on West Island.

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Cocos (Keeling) Islands: 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 –
Accelerated schedule available

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.

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:

VACCINE	HOW DISEASE SPREADS	DETAILS
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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	Accelerated schedule available
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.
Yellow Fever	Mosquito	Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Excludes the Galapagos in Ecuador and Misiones in Argentina.

VACCINE	HOW DISEASE SPREADS	DETAILS
Routine Vaccinations for Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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.

Sources: CDC, WHO and ISTM

Health Clinics are available on West and Home Island and are able to provide basic services. If you need serious medical care, you will likely be flown to Perth for treatment.

To find out more about these vaccines, see our vaccinations page. Ready to travel safely? Book your appointment either call or start booking online now.

The Cocos is a territory of Australia.

Americans planning to go to the Cocos will need a valid U.S. passport and a visa (or ETA) to enter. Many U.S. passport holders choose to get an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which is a label-free, electronic visa.

An ETA holder can travel to Australia as many times as they wish within 12 months of the ETA’s issue date. The longest length of each stay is three months.

Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Entry Requirements
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of Australia and U.S. State Department

The climate of the Cocos is tropical. The hotter months run from December to March. The cooler months run from June to October. Temperatures remain consistent year-round ranging from the low-70’s to mid-80’s.

Humidity is usually high and it rains often. Cyclone season runs from October to April.

The crime rate is zero in Cocos (Keeling) Islands, so there is no need for travelers to worry. But, travelers should be aware of cyclone season and practice safety precautions during this time.

Remember, local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

Avoid an Embarrassing Stop

Over 70% of travelers
will have diarrhea.

Get protected with Passport Health’s
travelers’ diarrhea kit!

The Cocos are known for their biodiversity. For tourists, one of the best way is by going on a motorized outrigger canoe tours. These canoe tours take travelers through lagoons in the southern islands that showcase amazing marine life.

Some marine life that travelers can see are turtles, tropical fish, and dolphins.

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Cocos (Keeling) Islands:

Sun block, sunscreen, hat for sun protection

Mosquito repellent

Swimwear

All Americans visiting the Cocos 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 U.S. embassy in the Cocos, but it is served by the embassy in Australia.

U.S. Embassy Canberra
Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Telephone: (02) 6214-5600
Email: AskEmbassyCanberra@state.gov

If you have any questions about traveling to the Cocos or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.

Customer Reviews

Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for the Cocos

Overall rating: 5 stars – 2 reviews

★★★★★

“Informative“
“My husband and I expected to receive on the yellow fever shot, low and behold, we received a booklet with much needed info to each country we will visit. There were lots of goodies to purchase and the staff was very helpful… :o)”

Submitted by: Anna

★★★★★

“Tremendous experience“
“Efficient, valuable information, and willing to take the time to answer all my questions about the Cocos! Thank you!”

Submitted by: Phil

On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
What Is the Climate Like in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
How Safe Is Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Marine Life in Cocos (Keeling) Islands
What Should I Take To Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
U.S. Embassy in Cocos (Keeling) Islands