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Travel Vaccines and Advice for Pitcairn Islands

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The Pitcairn Islands are some of the most remote islands in the entire world. They are a British Overseas Territory. There are four islands, with only one, Pitcairn, being inhabited.

There are only 147 people that live on Pitcairn Islands, with the national language being English and the native language of Pitkern. The official currency of the Pitcairn Islands is the New Zealand dollar.

If you are planning to travel to the Pitcairn Islands, you need to plan ahead. There are no airports on the Pitcairn Islands and the only way to get there is by boat. Pitcairn Island is accessible by tourists via the designated tourist boat, the Claymore II, which leaves the port in Mangareva every two weeks.

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Pitcairn Islands. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Pitcairn Islands: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, typhoid, 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

Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission

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.

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 Pitcairn 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
Yellow Fever	Mosquito	Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
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.

VACCINE	HOW DISEASE SPREADS	DETAILS
Routine Vaccinations for Pitcairn 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

There is a modern medical clinic on the islands, but the nearest hospital is in New Zealand. Since there are no airports on the Pitcairn Islands, it may take two days to get emergency medical care.

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.

If you are planning to stay at the Pitcairn Islands for less than 14 days, no visa is required. After that 14 day period, a tourist or business visa is required.

You do need a valid passport to travel to the Pitcairn Islands. The passport needs to remain valid for the duration of your stay.

Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Pitcairn Islands?
Pitcairn Islands Entry Requirements
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of New Zealand 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.

The climate of the Pitcairn Islands is subtropical with hot summers and mild winters.

The summer months span from December to March with the average temperatures in the 70’s to 80’s.

Winter months run from June to September with temps in the mid-to-high-60’s. It rains throughout all seasons.

Due to the low population, there is no crime on the Pitcairn Islands. But, you should practice safety while traveling. When you are transferring to the island by boat, wear a life vest.

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime if a crime should be committed against you.

Avoid an Embarrassing Stop

Over 70% of travelers
will have diarrhea.

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

In the late 1700’s, the Pitcairn Islands were settled by mutineers of a ship called Bounty. They burned the ship in the bay and settled the island, creating the first community.

The remains of the Bounty can still be seen today in Bounty Bay. Although there is not much of it that remains, divers and tourists still try to see what they can. You can still view the Bounty’s anchor at the Public Hall and other relics from the ship at a museum in Adamstown.

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to the Pitcairn Islands:

Electricity Adapter – Voltage in the Pitcairn Islands is 230-249 Volts, same as Australia and New Zealand’s adapters.

Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications – Due to its remoteness, it may be hard to find necessary medicine while you’re there.

Any kind of personal toiletries – If the island doesn’t have the toiletries you use and desire, you will not be able to get them.

All Americans visiting the Pitcairn Islands 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 Pitcairn Islands, but it is served by the embassy in New Zealand.

U.S. Embassy Wellington
29 Fitzherbert Terrace
Thorndon
Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 462 6000
Fax: +64 4 499 0490

If you have any questions about traveling to the Pitcairn Islands 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.