For years the answer to "is there a dengue vaccine?" has been no, not really. That has changed: a dengue vaccine is now registered in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has published advice on who should consider it. That does not make it a routine jab for every Bali holiday, and whether it suits you is a decision for you and your doctor at a travel consultation.
This article explains what dengue is, who Australian advice says should discuss vaccination, and how to plan ahead. It is general information, not personal medical advice.
What is dengue and why do travellers worry about it?
Dengue is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the ones that bite during the day and breed in small pools of water around houses, hotels and cities. The World Health Organization reports it as the fastest growing communicable disease globally. Almost every case diagnosed in Australia is caught overseas, and the places Australians catch it are the places we love to holiday: Indonesia, Thailand, India, Vietnam and Fiji all have ongoing transmission.
Most infections are mild or go unnoticed. When dengue does make you sick it usually means a sudden high fever, a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea and a rash, typically 5 to 7 days after the bite. There is no antiviral treatment. Most people recover in a week or two, but a small proportion develop severe dengue, which can be life-threatening. There are four types of dengue virus, and a second infection with a different type is more likely to be severe than the first. That is why people who have already had dengue are a particular focus of the Australian advice.
Who should talk to a doctor about dengue vaccination?
Under ATAGI's advice, the people for whom dengue vaccination is most worth discussing are:
- Anyone who has had dengue before and is travelling to a dengue area again.
- People planning to live, work or spend long or repeated periods in dengue areas, such as expats, fly-in fly-out workers, aid and mission workers, people who regularly visit family overseas, and long-term travellers.
- Laboratory workers who may be exposed to dengue virus.
For other travellers, such as someone with no dengue history heading off on a shorter holiday, ATAGI's position is that vaccination can be considered after an individual risk assessment. Your doctor will weigh up where you are going and whether there is an outbreak, how long you are staying, how much time you will spend outdoors, whether you are likely to keep going back, and your own health history. A fortnight at a resort and three months volunteering in a rural area are very different conversations.
If you had a dengue-like illness while overseas or soon after coming home, tell your doctor, because that history matters. You do not need a blood test beforehand: ATAGI does not recommend routine dengue testing before vaccination. If you have had dengue recently, ATAGI suggests waiting about six months before vaccinating.
Who may not be suitable
Not every vaccine suits every person. Dengue vaccination cannot be given to people whose immune system is significantly weakened, including people who will be starting immunosuppressive treatment within four weeks. It is also not given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the dengue vaccine or to one of its ingredients. It is generally not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Your doctor will go through your health history at your consult and explain the benefits, risks and possible side effects for you.
Plan early
Dengue vaccination involves more than one dose spread over several months, so if dengue is on your radar, book your consult 3 to 4 months before you fly. That is longer than the six to eight weeks we usually suggest for travel vaccines. If you are leaving sooner, a consult is still worthwhile, and your doctor can talk you through your options.
Bite prevention still comes first
Whatever you decide about vaccination, no vaccine replaces avoiding mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitoes bite through the day, so use repellent with DEET or picaridin, wear long loose clothing, and choose screened or air-conditioned rooms.
Your travel consultation in Bulimba
At Travel Doctors Brisbane in Bulimba, a travel consultation looks at your whole trip rather than one vaccine. Bring your itinerary, your vaccination records and a note of any past dengue illness. See our destination health advice for your country, browse our travel health services, and book your consultation.
This article is general information only, based on the ATAGI statement on the clinical use of dengue vaccine (24 September 2026) and the World Health Organization. It does not replace personalised medical advice. Vaccine recommendations change, so always confirm with a travel health professional before you travel.