Health advice on immunisations for travel

What is the issue?

Victorians travelling overseas are at increased risk of a range of vaccine preventable diseases, including measles, respiratory infections (e.g. influenza and COVID-19), gastrointestinal illnesses (e.g. hepatitis A, typhoid) and mpox. Vaccines are available to protect against these diseases.

Some of these diseases occur infrequently in Australia but are endemic (i.e. widespread) in other countries. They can be imported into Australia by returning travellers who are infected while overseas. Sometimes, infected travellers may not become unwell until they return to Australia. These illnesses may then be passed on to others in our community and cause disease outbreaks.

Rates of vaccination against many diseases have decreased worldwide, further increasing the risk of outbreaks, with measles a particular concern at present in Asia (including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and India), Africa, the Middle East, Europe (including the UK) and the Americas.

Vaccine schedules have also changed over time. Cases of hepatitis A in returned travellers have also increased in the past year compared to previous years. Therefore, Victorians may not be immune to infectious diseases which are not common in Victoria, but which are currently circulating worldwide.

Important vaccine-preventable diseases for travellers

Influenza and COVID-19 remain common vaccine-preventable diseases caught by travellers. Measles outbreaks are present across the globe with several countries currently experiencing large outbreaks. All travellers should ensure they have received 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine prior to travelling overseas. Two measles vaccinations are 99% effective at preventing infection by the virus.

Many other vaccine-preventable illnesses occur more commonly in people returning to their country of birth or visiting friends and relatives (e.g. hepatitis A and typhoid).

Mpox continues to spread in many countries, including Australia, and the risk of transmission linked to international travel remains. In Victoria, the mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS® vaccine) is available free-of-charge for eligible people. Vaccination against mpox is not currently routinely recommended for travel, unless you are already eligible in Victoria, a health care or humanitarian worker at risk of occupational exposure to mpox or someone who may engage in sexual activities while travelling to countries with transmission of Clade I mpox. Two doses of mpox vaccine are needed for optimal protection. See the eligibility criteria. To access the vaccine and find a local mpox immunisation provider, refer to Mpox immunisation providers.

Who is at risk?

Any person who is travelling overseas is at risk of getting a travel-related infectious disease. People who have close contact with travellers who have recently arrived from overseas may also be at risk of these diseases.

The risk of contracting a travel-related illness or becoming seriously unwell is higher in people who are not fully vaccinated against these infectious diseases, are older, or have underlying health conditions.

Travellers returning to their country of birth, or to visit friends or relatives may be at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases compared to tourists on holiday. This risk is influenced by the length of the visit, a loss of immunity (protection) to previous diseases, being more likely to eat local food and drink, and a tendency for closer or more frequent interactions with people in the local community.

Recommendations

For the public

• Travellers should see a health professional to discuss what vaccines are available to protect themselves and others. Anyone planning overseas travel should see their GP or a travel health professional at least 6 to 8 weeks before their trip to discuss recommended vaccinations and personalised health advice, depending on the destination and length of stay.
• Prior to travel it is also important to check whether routine vaccinations, including any boosters, are up to date. This includes measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (pertussis), polio, and chickenpox (varicella) vaccines.
• Two doses of measles-containing vaccines are required to be protected against measles. Free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is available to people born during or after 1966 who do not have documentation of having received 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine.
• Infants aged 6 to 11 months can receive a free dose of measles containing vaccine prior to travel. They will still require a further 2 doses of measles containing vaccine at the routine ages of 12 and 18 months of age.
• Other vaccines may be appropriate depending on your place of travel and planned activities, such as hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. Speak to your healthcare professional.
• People planning international travel should also ensure they have had a seasonal influenza vaccination (which is recommended for all Victorians over the age of 6 months), and that they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters if eligible.
• In October 2023, the Department of Health began a 12-month pilot to expand the role of community pharmacists, which includes the authorisation to administer select travel and other vaccines. The services offered through the pilot have been extended to 30 June 2025. Participating pharmacists and more information can be found on the Better Health Channel – Community Pharmacist Pilot.
• Vaccination records can be checked online on MyGov through Medicare. The Australian Government Smartraveller website also provides advice on travel health.

For health professionals

• GPs and health professionals should discuss vaccinations with any patients planning to travel overseas. Specific vaccination advice should be provided relevant to the destination.
• For all travellers, it is important that vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza are up to date.
• Given the current global increase in measles, it is strongly recommended that all overseas travellers are immune to measles, by having completed a full course of measles-containing vaccine or demonstrated serological immunity.
• Free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines can be offered to people born during or after 1966 who do not have documentation of having received 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine. All individuals who are unsure of their vaccination history should be offered vaccination, regardless of Medicare status.
• Infants from 6 to 11 months of age can receive a free dose of MMR vaccine prior to overseas travel. If an infant receives MMR vaccine at less than 11 months of age, they still need to also receive the 2 recommended vaccine doses at 12 months (MMR) and 18 months (MMRV) of age.
• Travellers should be assessed for their individual risk from hepatitis A, typhoid and other endemic diseases based on their location of travel and appropriate vaccinations offered.
• Anyone who already meets the eligibility criteria for mpox vaccination in Victoria, including some travellers such as health care or humanitarian workers at risk of occupational exposure to mpox or people who may engage in sexual activities while travelling to countries with transmission of Clade I mpox, should complete a full course of mpox immunisation at least 14 days prior to travel to allow for maximum protection.

More information

Clinical information

• Assessment of returned travellers with fever - factsheet for clinicians
• Disease information and advice
• Immunisation

Consumer information

• Australian Government Smart traveller website

Better Health Channel website:

• Travel and holidays
• Travel Immunisation
• Influenza (flu) – immunisation
• Measles
• Mpox
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid

Contacts

For more information, please contact the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control section at the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 (24 hours).