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🇻🇺 Vaccines for Vanuatu

Entry requirements & recommendations for travel to Vanuatu

Vanuatu requires malaria prophylaxis for most visits — malaria is present on most islands including Efate (where the capital Port Vila is located) and Espiritu Santo, two of the most-visited islands. Yellow Fever proof is required if arriving from an endemic country. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended generally. Vanuatu is known for diving (including wreck diving), volcano visits (Mount Yasur on Tanna is one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world), and a relatively laid-back South Pacific atmosphere. Healthcare on Efate (Port Vila) is the best available; outer islands have very limited facilities, with evacuation to Australia or New Zealand a consideration for serious issues.

Medical disclaimer: This is general information only — not personal medical advice. Requirements and risks change. Always consult a qualified travel health clinic before departure.
Required for entry
Yellow Fever
Certificate required if arriving from endemic country.
💉 1 dose (lifetime)
📅 Book at least 3 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 10 days after vaccination. Certificate valid for life.
🛡 Protects for: Lifetime (single dose).
Required for entry
Recommended by WHO & CDC
Hepatitis A
Food and water contamination risk.
💉 2 doses
📅 Book at least 4 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 2 weeks after 1st dose. Full protection after 2nd dose (6–12 months later).
🛡 Protects for: 1st dose ~1 yr. 2nd dose: lifetime.
Recommended
Typhoid
Contaminated food and water.
💉 1 dose
📅 Book at least 3 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 2 weeks after vaccination.
🛡 Protects for: 3–5 years. Booster recommended if re-exposure.
Recommended
Disease risks
  • ⚠Malaria (present on most islands)
  • ⚠Dengue
Notes: Yellow Fever required from endemic countries. Malaria prophylaxis required — present on most islands including Efate and Espiritu Santo.
Approximate cost per person
Required vaccines
~€74
(~$81)
per person · full courses
Yellow Fever (1 dose)€74 ($81)
Recommended vaccines
~€249
(~$271)
per person · full courses
Hepatitis A (2 doses)€140 ($152)
Typhoid (1 dose)€45 ($49)
Malaria tablets (4 weeks) (1 dose)€64 ($70)

💡 Approximate figures based on private European travel clinic rates (April 2026). Actual costs vary by clinic and country. Not all recommended vaccines will apply to every trip — discuss your specific itinerary with a travel health clinic.

Often combined with
AustraliaNew ZealandPapua New GuineaFiji
Common questions
Do I need malaria tablets for Vanuatu?
Yes, recommended for most visits. Malaria is present on most islands of Vanuatu, including Efate (Port Vila) and Espiritu Santo — two of the most-visited islands. This isn't a destination where malaria can be assumed absent based on its developed-feeling resort areas.
Do I need vaccines for Vanuatu?
Yellow Fever proof is required if arriving from an endemic country. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended generally, alongside the malaria prophylaxis recommended for most visits given malaria's presence on the main islands.
Is tap water safe in Vanuatu?
Tap water on Efate (Port Vila) is generally treated, though bottled water is also widely used. On outer islands, water quality is more variable and bottled or treated water is recommended.
What healthcare is available in Vanuatu?
Healthcare on Efate (Port Vila) is the best available in the country and adequate for routine issues. Outer islands, including Espiritu Santo and Tanna (popular for the Mount Yasur volcano), have very limited facilities. For serious medical issues, evacuation to Australia or New Zealand is the typical option — comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is important.