Medical Summary
The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).
General Information
Vanuatu is a developing nation classified as lower middle income. A chain of islands located in the Pacific Ocean (west of Fiji and north of New Caledonia), the climate is classified as humid equatorial (no dry season).
Vaccinations
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or typhoid fever. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
Malaria
See also: Library article for Malaria
The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)
(2019) Low to moderate Malaria risk due predominantly to P. vivax exists throughout the year in most of the country. P. vivax resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Malaria risk due to P. falciparum is still present.- Recommended prevention: C – Risk of P. falciparum malaria, in combination with reported chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone–proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis (select according to reported side effects and contraindications) a
aAlternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).
WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.
CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)
Areas with malaria: All.- Drug resistance3 : Chloroquine.
- Malaria species: P. falciparum 60%, P. vivax 35%–40%, P. ovale < 1%.
- Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.4
3 Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
4 Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.
Other Concerns
Travelers' Diarrhea
See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea
Moderate risk exists throughout the country, with minimal risk in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures may be inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.
Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.
Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.
Other Food-Borne Illnesses
Precautions to prevent seafood poisoning may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Dengue may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, marine hazards, snakebites, tuberculosis.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Consular Travel Advice
Between March 1 and 4, 2023, the islands were impacted by Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin, resulting in infrastructure damage and coastal flooding. A state of emergency is in place. Disruptions to basic services (such as power outages), transportation (including road travel), and mobile and internet services should be expected. Travelers should avoid the affected areas and monitor the situation through local media and embassy communications.
Terrorism Risk
No intrinsic risk of attack by terrorist groups exists, but unforeseen attacks are possible.
Crime
Low risk of violent crime (armed robbery, home invasion, and sexual assault) and low risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, mainly in remote tourist sites, on isolated beaches, and near the bars and clubs in Port Vila, especially before major religious holidays.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations may infrequently occur and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.
Water Safety
Passenger boats may be unsafe, including ferries, small crafts, and speedboats traveling between islands. Decline water transportation in vessels that appear overloaded or lack personal flotation devices or life jackets.
Basic safety standards for recreational water activities (including scuba diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, rafting, kayaking, and tubing) may not be in place. Rent water sports equipment from reputable operators. Scuba dive only with personnel certified by PADI or NAUI, and use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators.
Transportation Safety
High risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 12 to 24 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.
There are no speed laws.
Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.
Drunk driving laws are poorly enforced.
There are no restrictions on mobile phone usage while driving.
Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.
Natural Disasters
The cyclone season is from November through April. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.
Seismic and volcanic activity frequently occurs.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Vanuatu
- United States: The U.S. does not have an embassy or consulate in Vanuatu.
- Canada: Canada does not have an embassy or consulate in Vanuatu.
- United Kingdom: U.K. does not have an embassy or consulate in Vanuatu.
- Australia: [+678] 22-777; vanuatu.embassy.gov.au
Vanuatu's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: Vanuatu does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.S.
- In Canada: Vanuatu does not have an embassy or consulate in Canada.
- In the U.K.: Vanuatu does not have an embassy or consulate in the U.K.
- In Australia: [+61] 02-6282-9931
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV and hepatitis testing may be required to obtain a work or residence visa.
