Vanuatu

Recommended Vaccinations For Vanuatu

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. Therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country. Therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For Vanuatu

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended medications are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Vanuatu

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Vanuatu.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Vanuatu through contaminated food and water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur in Vanuatu.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Malaria

There is a risk of exposure to malaria throughout the islands.

Chikungunya Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Chikungunya in this country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Rabies

Rabies has only been reported in wild animals and perhaps in bats in this country. Most travellers are at low risk. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) may be at risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Vanuatu, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Zika Fever

Zika virus may occur in this country.

Safety & Security in Vanuatu

Personal Safety

Vanuatu has a low crime rate and receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the US State Department, meaning you should exercise normal precautions. Crime does increase around major holidays like Independence Day on July 30 and Christmas, particularly in Port Vila. Petty theft occurs in tourist areas, beaches and markets. Violent crime is rare, though there have been incidents of attacks on foreigners at nightclubs and bars in Port Vila, especially after dark. Isolated locations and poorly lit streets at night carry elevated risks. Home break-ins occur even when occupants are present. Drink spiking has been reported at bars, so watch your drinks being prepared and don’t leave them unattended. ATM and credit card fraud occurs, so use machines in well-monitored locations and monitor accounts after your visit. Natural disasters pose a significant threat. Cyclone season runs November to April but storms can happen year-round. Vanuatu sits in the Ring of Fire and experiences over 2,000 seismic events annually, including regular earthquakes above 5.0 magnitude. Several active volcanoes exist across the islands. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila in December 2024, causing building damage and landslides, with parts of the CBD remaining closed into 2025. Volcanic activity on Mount Yasur on Tanna Island and other locations requires monitoring alert levels before visiting. Malaria is present, especially in northern areas, and dengue fever occurs throughout the islands. Water-based activities carry risks from strong currents, coral, and sharks. Mid-2024 saw several shark sightings and minor attacks in Port Vila waters.

Extreme Violence

Vanuatu ranks as one of the least prevalent countries for organized crime in Oceania with an overall criminality score of 2.43 out of 14 Oceanic countries assessed. Violent crime against tourists is rare, with assault and gang-related violence at much lower levels than neighboring Pacific nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea. There is no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be ruled out. The country has not experienced armed conflict or civil war, unlike some other Melanesian states. Human trafficking occurs on a limited scale, primarily as a transit country for victims moving between islands for labor or sexual exploitation, though the scale remains small. Arms trafficking and trade in counterfeit goods show limited presence. Extortion and protection racketeering are not prevalent. Vanuatu serves as a potential hiding place for drug traffickers en route to Australia due to its many smaller islands, though the country itself does not have significant drug use or dealing issues. Gender-based violence and sexual assault represent a concern, with a sizeable percentage of women experiencing assaults from partners or family members, though this typically affects residents rather than visitors.

Political Unrest

Vanuatu experiences chronic political instability characterized by frequent government changes rather than civil unrest or violence. The country has largely avoided the political violence seen elsewhere in Melanesia. Between 2022 and 2023, Vanuatu had four prime ministers from four political parties, with changes resulting from motions of no confidence or their threat. Three governments changed in 2023 alone due to parliamentary maneuvering. Party hopping by members of parliament and coalition-building at the expense of governance priorities create this revolving door effect. Public protests against political instability have occurred, including demonstrations by citizens and activists outside parliament in 2023 demanding resolution and stable governance. A 2024 referendum aimed to reduce instability by requiring MPs to remain with their political parties or forfeit their seats. The political crisis disrupts development projects, delays budget passage, hampers cyclone recovery efforts, and wastes limited government funds. Despite this governmental instability, civil disorder and large-scale protests remain uncommon. The instability stems from institutional and parliamentary dynamics rather than ethnic tensions, violent movements or authoritarian threats. Democracy has remained intact since independence in 1980, with regular peaceful transfers of power through elections.

Areas To Avoid

Port Vila’s Black Sands area has higher crime rates and should be avoided. Parts of Port Vila’s CBD remain closed following the December 2024 earthquake due to ongoing demolition of damaged buildings and safety assessments. Some areas are inaccessible due to landslides from the earthquake. Port Vila’s cruise ship terminal remains cut off by a landslide. Ambae Island and parts of Ambrym Island face permanent evacuation orders due to regular volcanic activity. Volcano alert levels can change unexpectedly across multiple islands including Tanna, Ambrym, Ambae, Gaua and Lopevi. At Level 3 alerts, avoid volcano summits and nearby areas. During cyclone season from November to April, coastal accommodations may require evacuation to inland safety centers, and travel to outer islands can be disrupted for days. Isolated beaches and locations throughout the islands carry risks at night. Many beaches sit on private land and require visiting fees paid to landowners. Some traditional kava bars called nakamals, particularly outside Port Vila, do not welcome women. Trespassing on private land is a concern when traveling off established paths, as land ownership is a sensitive issue and you may need to pay visiting fees to landowners.