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.
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?
Canadian Embassy in Australia
Do I Need Vaccines for Christmas Island?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Christmas Island. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Christmas Island: COVID-19, 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:
- COVID-19 –
Airborne –
Recommended for all travellers - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travellers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travellers
to most regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling 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 | Recommended for all travellers |
Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling 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?
Because Christmas Island is an Australian territory, they follow all entrance requirements for Australia.
Canadians must present a passport which is valid the day of entrance to the country. A visa is required for all business and tourism purposes. A health exam may be required to obtain this visa.
Christmas Island Entry Requirements |
||
Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Christmas Island? | |
---|---|---|
Passport | ||
Tourist Visa | ||
Business Visa | ||
Vaccinations |
Sources: Embassy of Christmas Island and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
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 low 20’s. Temperatures only fluctuate between the high-10’s and high 20’s Celsius all year.
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
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 travelling. This includes as bandages and antibacterial wipes. The advises bring a travellers’ 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.
Canadian Embassy in Australia
Because Christmas Island is an Australian Territory the embassy in Australia handles all representations for Christmas Island.
High Commission of Canada in Australia
Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra, ACT 2600
Australia
(+61) (2) 6270 4000
Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Christmas Island
“The nurse did a very good job explaining the need to have specific vaccinations for different destinations, and administered a Hep A booster for my trip to Christmas Island. I will use passport services again in the future.”
“This is the second time I have visited the Passport Health in Calgary (downtown) and it is a great clinic. The folks there are very knowledgeable about any destination (including for my trip to Christmas Island) and helpful and the location is very convenient to get to from my downtown office.”