India Travel Vaccinations

Your IPSA Vaccine Clinic

Depending on your current vaccine status and where in India you are going, how long you plan to stay in India and what you will be doing while you are in India, your IPSA vaccine specialist will advise you on the recommended additional vaccines you will require to protect yourself whilst in India. Your IPSA physician will also talk through any country-specific medications that you should consider taking with you on your trip to India.

All travellers to India

Firstly, ensure you are up to date with your routine vaccinations. You might also require some extra vaccinations when travelling to India.

What are the routine vaccines?

• The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
• The diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine
• The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
• The polio vaccine
• Your yearly flu shot

What vaccines should most travellers to India have?

In India, there is a risk of both Hepatitis A and typhoid.

Hepatitis A: The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends having the hepatitis A vaccine, as, regardless of where you are staying or where you are eating, there is a risk of getting this disease through contaminated water and food when in India.

Typhoid: Again, the CDC also recommends having the typhoid vaccine due to the risk of catching typhoid through contaminated water and food. This is especially the case if you are adventurous with your diet, if you are visiting any of India’s smaller cities, or if you are staying with relatives or with friends.

What vaccines should some travellers to India have?

During your vaccine consultation, your IPSA vaccine specialist will run through what medicines and vaccines you will need. This is based on how long you will be staying in the country, where you are going, what you will be doing when you are in India, and it will also depend on if you are travelling to India from a country other than the UK.

Hepatitis B: You can catch hepatitis B from blood products, sexual contact or contaminated needles. If you plan on having sex with a new partner, getting a piercing or tattoo, or undergoing any medical procedures whilst in India, then the CDC recommends having the hepatitis B vaccine.

Malaria: During your vaccine consultation, your IPSA specialist will discuss malaria prevention while you are travelling in India. You might need to take some anti-malarial prescription medicine before, during, and after your travel to India, especially if you intend to visit low-altitude areas.

Japanese encephalitis: You might need to have this vaccine if your trip is for longer than one month, and you may also require it depending on what time of year you are travelling and where you are going in India. This vaccine is also recommended if you are planning to visit rural areas or to spend a lot of time outdoors, even if your trip is for less than a month. Your IPSA specialist will help you to decide whether to have this vaccine based on your travel plans.

Rabies:  In India, rabies is found in bats, dogs, and other mammals. The CDC recommends having the rabies vaccine if you are at risk from animal bites such as when you:

• Are going to be involved in outdoor or other activities (like biking, camping, caving, hiking, or adventure travel).
• Will be working around/with animals (such as researchers, veterinarians or wildlife professionals).
• Are going to take a long trip or move to India permanently.
• Are more likely to receive animal bites to the neck/head, such as children, who tend to play more often with animals and might not report any bites.

Yellow fever: India does not have a yellow fever risk, but the Indian government requires that you have proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you are entering India from a country that does have a yellow fever risk.

For your same-day IPSA vaccination consultation, simply call your nearest IPSA clinic or make your booking online.