Travel Vaccinations for India
Expert advice and vaccinations for your India journey. Get protected before you travel with Wilmslow Pharmacy’s trusted travel health specialists.
Protect yourself in India
These vaccinations are recommended for most travellers to India
Hepatitis A is highly prevalent in India. This vaccine is essential for all travellers, regardless of accommodation type.
Typhoid is common throughout India. Essential for all travellers, especially those visiting rural areas or staying for extended periods.
Recommended for long-term travellers, those who may need medical treatment, or anyone engaging in activities with blood contact risk.
India has a high rabies risk. Strongly recommended for all travellers, especially those visiting rural areas or staying for extended periods.
Recommended if you’re spending time in rural areas, especially during monsoon season (June-September), or staying for more than a month.
Ensure your routine UK vaccinations are up to date. A booster may be needed if it’s been more than 10 years since your last dose.
Malaria & Dengue Risks in India
Malaria risk varies across India. Dengue fever is also a significant risk nationwide. Our pharmacists will check your specific itinerary and advise on prevention.
Areas above 2000m (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim) are generally low risk.
Risk exists in most other areas, including Goa and Kerala. Antimalarials are often recommended.
Stay healthy in India
Essential tips for a safe journey
Drink only bottled/boiled water. Avoid ice. Eat freshly cooked food and peel your own fruit.
Use 50% DEET repellent day and night to protect against Malaria and Dengue.
Stay hydrated and use high SPF. Heat exhaustion is a risk, especially in summer months.
India travel health FAQs
Common questions we answer at our Wilmslow travel clinic
How far in advance do I need vaccinations for India?
We recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks before departure, as courses such as rabies and Japanese encephalitis involve several doses spread over a few weeks. If your trip is sooner, it is still worth coming in, hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines can be given shortly before travel and still provide valuable protection.
Is malaria a risk in Goa?
Yes, malaria occurs in Goa, as it does across much of lowland India. Whether you need antimalarial tablets or careful bite avoidance alone depends on your exact itinerary, season of travel, trip length and health history. We follow current UK travel health guidance and will confirm the right approach at your consultation. Dengue is also present, so use insect repellent day and night.
Do I really need the rabies vaccine for India?
Rabies is a significant risk in India, with stray dogs and monkeys a common source of bites and scratches, and the full post-exposure treatment can be difficult to obtain locally. A pre-travel vaccine course is strongly worth considering for most itineraries, particularly longer trips, rural travel and families with children. Always wash any bite or scratch and seek urgent medical advice.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for India?
There is no yellow fever in India, so the vaccine is not needed for protection there. However, India does require a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from, or transiting through, countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. As a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre we can check your route and issue a certificate if you need one.
Ready for your India adventure?
Book your India travel health consultation at our Wilmslow clinic. Get expert advice and all recommended vaccinations in one visit.