Travel Vaccines and Advice for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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.
Do I Need Vaccines for Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
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.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- 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 seperately. 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 Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Routine Vaccinations for Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
||
| 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 seperately. 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. |
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.
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
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.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Cocos (Keeling) Islands? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Australia and U.S. State Department
For more information contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa specialist by calling 1-844-366-8472 or by filling out our online form.
What Is the Climate Like in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
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.
How Safe Is Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
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.
Marine Life in Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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.
What Should I Take To Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Cocos (Keeling) Islands:
- Sun block, sunscreen, hat for sun protection
- Mosquito repellent
- Swimwear
U.S. Embassy in Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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.
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
