Before Visiting the 2026 Australian Open, Tennis Fans Should Check Their Vaccinations

As excitement builds for the 2026 Australian Open, set to begin in just days at Melbourne Park, international visitors are advised to prioritize their health preparations before landing 'down under'.

With over one million tennis enthusiasts expected to watch stars like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff compete for one of the four grand slam titles, experts emphasize the importance of up-to-date vaccinations, especially in light of significant disease outbreaks that affected Australia in 2025.

Australia faced a particularly challenging year for infectious diseases in 2025, with influenza being the most prominent issue. Health authorities reported a staggering 457,906 confirmed influenza cases between January and November 2025, the highest number recorded for that period. This surge was driven by the emergence of influenza A(H3N2) viruses from the J.2.4.1 alias K subclade.

From a vaccine efficacy perspective, recent research found this season's flu shots are effective against the K subclade.

And when visiting Australia's rural areas, the first detection of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) for the 2025-2026 summer season has been confirmed in a mosquito near Horsham Rural City Council, Victoria. 

Australia had nine confirmed human cases of JEV during the 2024-25 summer season, including five deaths.

As of January 12, 2026, JEV vaccines are offered in Australia and the USA.

And in Western Australia, pertussis cases also increased throughout 2025, exacerbated by a shortage of azithromycin, a key antibiotic treatment. Additionally, health alerts were issued in the state regarding shigellosis, a bacterial infection that causes gastrointestinal issues.

In December 2025, New South Wales reported a Legionnaires' disease outbreak linked to Sydney's central business district, with multiple cases connected to contaminated water sources in cooling towers. While primarily affecting locals, this serves as a reminder to travelers visiting urban areas about the risks of Legionella, especially in humid environments.

In July 2025, New South Wales reported the state's first confirmed fatal case of bat lyssavirus in a human being.

And University of Sydney researchers revealed in June 2025 that rat lungworm disease is on the rise in eastern Australia in dogs, and there have even been recorded cases in humans, including two fatal incidents.

The Australian Department of Health and global entities such as the U.S. CDC strongly recommend these routine vaccinations for all travelers. 

Tournament organizers have confirmed that there will be no vaccination or testing mandates for entry this year, a shift that could benefit unvaccinated tennis players like the 38-year-old Djokovic in his pursuit of an 11th Australian Open title.