We advise:
Exercise a high degree of caution in China overall.
Other levels apply in some areas.
China is home to two of the world’s largest cities, Shanghai and Beijing, with populations of 26 and 20 million people respectively. Not only are they two of the largest cities in the world, they attract hundreds of millions of tourists each year – Australians alone accounted for almost 600,000 tourists who visited China for holidays in 2018.
If you’re looking to visit somewhere exotic, packed full of history with new sights and experiences, a trip to China is a must.
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is celebrated across the country in late January or early February, and is a great time to see the country in full swing. It’s an amazing celebration of fireworks, lanterns, elaborate decorations and delicious authentic food. It can be busy, but if you’re a lover of incredible cultural experiences, then add this one to your bucket list.
As exciting as a trip to China may be, it’s important to consider the risks of disease and illness that can very quickly turn an unbelievable trip of a lifetime into and unforgettable one, for all the wrong reasons. Speak with your healthcare professional about which vaccinations or other preventative measures you might need prior to your departure.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travellers are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations including; measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, influenza, pneumococcal disease, haemophilus influenzae type B, human papillomavirus, rotavirus and varicella. Some of these vaccinations are given as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for individuals who meet the criteria. For a full list, refer to the NIP for details, available here. In some cases, you may need a booster or re-vaccination against a disease to ensure you still have immunity.
Travellers to China who are aged 5 years or older should also ensure they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Other vaccine preventable diseases that are considered a risk in China include hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies. Your doctor will be able to let you know which vaccinations are recommended for you, based on the time of year, destination/s, activities planned and the duration of your stay.
All travellers should be up to date with their routine vaccinations before heading off to China. These include vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chicken pox, polio and influenza. For a full list, refer to the National Immunisation Program available here.
Travellers to China who are aged 5 years or older should also ensure they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Most travellers
There is an increased risk of contracting hepatitis A and typhoid in China, both of which can be contracted through contaminated food or water.
Some travellers
Depending on where you are staying and what activities you have planned, the following vaccinations may be recommended for you by your doctor:
Some medications may be useful to prevent other diseases, such as malaria.
It is best to consult with your doctor or travel health clinic at least a month prior to your departure. They will be able to advise you about any vaccinations that you may need for your trip well before you leave, based on your specific travel plans.
What your doctor will need to know:
Your doctor may also conduct a general health check-up. This may be needed for your travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
If you are not up-to-date with your routine vaccinations, or if your doctor believes you may be at an increased risk of contracting a vaccine-preventable disease, then they may recommend that you get a booster or be vaccinated/revaccinated against a particular disease.
As the immunisation schedule for China is different to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for Australia, you may need to check with your doctor to ensure that you are adequately protected against the diseases at risk within China. This of course will depend on how much time you have spent in Australia before returning to your home country.
It is important to remember that when returning to China, children do not have immunity to local illnesses. Likewise, parents or adults who have lived away from China for a while have declining immunity. Also, the immunisation schedules for China and Australia may be different, so locals may be vaccinated against different diseases. The whole family needs to prepare for a healthy trip ‘home’.
Check the National Immunisation Schedule available here.
MAT-AU-2200216 Date of preparation March 2022
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