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What Vaccinations Should I Get If I'm Travelling To Australia?

Before going down under for a wild and exciting holiday, there are a few vaccines you need to make sure you've had. To speed you on your way, we have taken the time to compile a check-list for you.

Remember: Inform a medical expert if you are pregnant, allergic to penicillin, or have a generally weak immune system, so that the right treatment can be prescribed.

HIGH PRIORITY

Rabies:
  • Recommended for travellers looking to spend time outdoors in rural areas. Rabies is not reported in Australia but a related, equally deadly virus does exist in bats.
  • A complete pre-exposure series consists of three doses of the vaccine injected into the deltoid muscle on three different occasions (the first day, day 7 and day 21 or 28).
  • Even if immunized, always clean an animal bite/ scratch accordingly.

Yellow Fever (Circumstantial):
  • Prerequisite for anybody over the age of one from a yellow-fever infected endemic zone (African countries, the Americas and others).
  • The yellow fever vaccine must be administered at an approved yellow fever vaccination center. An International Certificate of Vaccination will prove you're immunized.
  • The vaccine is not recommended for children under six months, adults with low immunity, or those allergic to chicken eggs (where the vaccine is cultured). This applies to those with a malignant neoplasm, with a history of thymus disease or thymectomy.
  • Those between the ages of six and eight months or 60 years or older, pregnant, or breastfeeding should see a medical professional before getting vaccinated.

Influenza (Circumstantial:)
  • Recommended for those travelling during flu season, which runs from May to the end of October.
  • Influenza vaccine injections should not be given to pregnant women during the first trimester or those allergic to eggs (vaccine is cultured in chicken embryos).

MEDIUM PRIORITY

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) (Circumstantial):
  • Two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travellers born after 1956, unless naturally immune (blood tests will show).
  • Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 have received a vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella as children. Travellers born between those times should be given a second dose before departing.
  • Pregnant women and those with low immunity should exercise caution - seek professional advice about the vaccine.

Tetanus-Diphtheria:

  • Every traveller who hasn't had their tetanus shot should get this vaccination.

LOW PRIORITY

Japanese Encephalitis (Circumstantial):
  • The vaccine is recommended for any traveller looking to visit rural areas and spend time outdoors (especially in the evening).
  • Cases have been reported on the islands of the Torres Straits.
  • For those aged 17 or older, a vaccine is administered intramuscularly, followed by a second dose 28 days later. The series should be completed at least one week before travel.
  • An older vaccine is recommended for those younger than 17. It is given as a series of three injections, given on the first, 17th and 30th days.
  • The series must be completed at least ten days before departure.
  • The vaccine is most effective when used with strong insect repellent - remember prevention is better than cure!