Travel Vaccination Advice for Fiji
Let’s cut straight to the chase. No, you do not need vaccinations for Fiji with the exception that a vaccine for yellow fever is required if you are coming from a yellow fever area. However, this guide to the vaccines recommended for entering Fiji goes through the current suggested vaccinations. In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that travellers be covered with up-to-date vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio when travelling anywhere in the world, including Fiji. We go through the whole list of mandatory and recommended vaccinations for Fiji in this guide.
What Vaccinations Do You Need to Enter Fiji?
Currently, you need a yellow fever vaccination to enter Fiji if coming from a yellow fever area.
© FijiPocketGuide.comRequired Vaccinations for Fiji
“Effective 14 February 2023, international travellers arriving into Fiji by air or sea will no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and travel insurance to enter Fiji.” – Fiji Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport.
Yellow Fever Vaccinations
If you are coming from a yellow fever area, you will need an International Health Certificate to show that you have been immunised within the last 10 years.
![Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to Fiji? 💉 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTAyNDozMjU=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA2ODMiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjY4MyIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4=)
© PexelsRecommended Vaccinations for Fiji
Despite the list of recommended vaccinations, the likelihood of visitors to Fiji getting an infectious disease is very slim, except for dengue fever (see in the “Health Issues to Be Aware of in Fiji” section below), which there is no vaccine for.
Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date (adults require boosters for some vaccines), and get the travel vaccinations that we list below to stay on the safe side.
Visit your travel clinic or GP 4-6 weeks before your trip to get up-to-date information on which vaccines are best to have for Fiji. When you get vaccines for you or your children, make sure to keep a record of them – many practices offer a “Travel Vaccination Passport”.
Travel Vaccinations for Fiji
Typhoid Vaccine
Typhoid is a disease spread through food and water. There have been isolated outbreaks of typhoid in Fiji on Vanua Levu in recent years during the wet season (November–April). The typhoid vaccine typically lasts two years.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Hepatitis A spreads through food and water. While most people recover completely from hepatitis A, the vaccine is close to 100% protective.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B spreads through blood and body fluids and is much more serious than hepatitis A. While treatment is complex, the prevention vaccine is highly effective.
Routine Vaccinations
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
The MMR vaccine is given to children as routine in many countries. The vaccine is recommended to anyone unvaccinated. An adult booster is also recommended.
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDAP) Vaccine
These airborne diseases are also spread through wounds. While this is a routine vaccination in children in many countries, an adult booster is recommended, particularly for pertussis.
Polio Vaccine
Polio spreads through food and water. The polio vaccine is considered routine for children in many countries. A single adult booster vaccine is recommended.
Meningitis Vaccine
Meningococcal disease, which causes meningitis, is an airborne disease that has been an issue in local communities in Fiji in the past. The vaccine is recommended to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk.
© FijiPocketGuide.comHealth Issues to Be Aware of in Fiji
While Fiji is safe for most travellers, there are a few slightly more common medical issues experienced in Fiji. Take a look at the list below of some that you need to be aware of. For more information on symptoms, see How to Keep Safe in Fiji.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-transmitted disease that has had a few outbreaks in Fiji in the past. While there is no vaccine for dengue fever, the best way to prevent it is to prevent day-biting mosquitos by staying in resorts that control mosquitos, wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent. See the 12 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Fiji for more prevention methods.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is caused by long periods of sun exposure. It can be prevented by applying high-factor sunscreen every three hours, covering up exposed skin, staying in the shade at midday, and drinking plenty of water. Check out our recommended sunscreens in the 10 Best Environmentally-Friendly Sunscreens and 5 Best Sunscreens for Kids and Babies in Fiji.
E-coli (Traveller’s Diarrhoea)
E-coli is a virus resulting from contaminated food and water. Precautions to take include boiling water for at least 10 minutes if the water is not from a safe source and washing hands regularly. See more tips for making sure you have access to safe drinking water in the 6 Ways to Make Sure the Water is Safe to Drink in Fiji.
Ciguatera
Ciguatera is fish poisoning caused by eating reef fish that have eaten particular types of seaweed. Ways to prevent it include only eating the fish that the locals eat or avoiding eating reef fish altogether.
Get more tips for staying healthy in Fiji using our guide, How to Keep Safe in Fiji.
More About Vaccines to Travel to Fiji and Other Health Tips
That’s it for our complete guide to the travel vaccinations for Fiji. Get more essential tips for your Fiji getaway in the following articles:
- The Best Time to Visit Fiji
- What to Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Fiji
- 30 Tips for Travelling in Fiji
- 29 Essential Tips for Travelling to Fiji With Children
- Do You Need a Visa to Visit Fiji?
Finally, check out The Complete Travel Guide to Fiji – the only travel guide to Fiji you’ll ever need.
