First Aid Kit and Medication for Wallis and Futuna

Travelling to a tropical destination like Wallis and Futuna comes with potential health risks, including sunburn, heat exhaustion, and mosquito bites. With many travellers staying active, hiking, swimming, or exploring the reefs, minor accidents and injuries can also occur.

To stay prepared, it’s a good idea to bring a well-stocked travel first aid kit.

We go through the essential medications to pack for a trip to Wallis and Futuna in the checklist below.

10 Essential Health Tips for Travelling in Wallis and Futuna

  1. Boiling water before drinking is advised. Alternatively, use a Lifestraw Bottle or one of the other methods discussed in Is the Water Safe to Drink in Wallis & Futuna?
  2. Speaking of water, be sure to drink plenty – at least 2 litres (68 oz) every two to three hours to stay hydrated.
  3. If you’re feeling unwell, be proactive and see a local doctor immediately.
  4. Taking a couple of paracetamol and a nasal decongestant spray 30 minutes before a flight can help with flu-like symptoms and ear pain.
  5. Take sensible precautions. For example, cover yourself and/or use insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites and wear sunscreen.
  6. Carry medicines in your hand luggage in case your check-in luggage is lost.
  7. Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have allergies or a chronic illness.
  8. If you are treated in Wallis and Futuna, obtain a full written medical report for your travel insurer.
  9. If travelling with an infant, pack your usual brand of baby formula, as a change in diet may lead to bowel complications.
  10. If you become ill after returning home, tell your doctor that you have visited Wallis and Futuna.

Our final tip is to check out our Wallis & Futuna Safety Tips for much more advice.

First Aid Kit Medication Packing
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Wallis and Futuna Travel First Aid Kit Checklist

Although you can get first aid kits at pretty much any pharmacy, they are generic and often only include enough to deal with a couple of cuts. We like to create our own first aid kit that has been adapted to our destination, in this case, Wallis and Futuna, as well as to our personal needs.

Our example Wallis and Futuna first aid kit includes a few prescribed medications, so make sure to book an appointment with your GP and get these prescriptions sorted.

What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Wallis and Futuna

medication first aid
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Other Medication and Health Products to Pack for Wallis and Futuna

While not necessarily needed in your "first aid kit" for Wallis and Futuna, these other medications and health products are also handy to have with you.

Sunscreen

With UV levels reaching 9–11+ in Wallis and Futuna, protecting yourself from sun exposure is essential to avoid sunburn and heat-related illnesses.

Use SPF 30 or higher, apply generously every few hours, and reapply after swimming or sweating. Choose reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine environment, and consider bringing it from home, as reef-friendly options may be limited locally.

Check out examples of safe sunscreen to use in The Best Sunscreens for Wallis & Futuna + Sun Protection Tips.

Insect Repellent

It’s important to avoid mosquito bites in Wallis and Futuna as much as possible, as mosquito-related diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya do occur.

Check out our recommended mosquito repellents in the 10 Best Insect Repellents for Wallis & Futuna.

Iodine (Water-Purifying) Tablets

As a precaution for drinking water from a tap or any other potentially unsafe source, iodine tablets dissolved in water help remove some bacteria and viruses from the water.

This is not 100% effective though so, when possible, boil water for at least 10 minutes before drinking it. Get more tips for finding safe drinking water in Is the Water Safe to Drink in Wallis & Futuna?

Glasses/Contact Lenses

It’s always a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses or spare sets of contact lenses, in case you lose or damage your glasses and/or contact lenses.

Seasickness Pills

If you are going out on dive or fishing trip, or are usually prone to seasickness and are taking the ferry, you may want to pack a few seasickness pills so you enjoy the whole trip!

Prescription Medication

Finally, remember your prescription medication. It’s a good idea to bring medication in the original packaging with the label for whom it is prescribed, just in case you are asked about your medication at the border.

As an extra precaution, get your GP/doctor to sign and date a letter describing your medical conditions and medications, including their generic names, should you need more prescribed medication while in Wallis and Futuna (but we recommend taking enough for your whole trip plus a few extras).

More Health Tips and What to Pack for Wallis and Futuna

That's it for our complete medication packing list for Wallis and Futuna but by no means the end of our advice! Check out the following guides for more handy tips:

Finally, get more essential tips from the 20 Tips for Travelling in Wallis & Futuna and The Complete Travel Guide to Wallis & Futuna LINK#TT064.