Protect Yourself Abroad: Essential Travel Medicine for India

India Travel Requirements and Vaccinations

India, located in southern Asia, is the seventh largest country in the world and the second largest in terms of population. Its 4,700 miles of coastline bank the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Just under half of its coastline miles are sandy beaches, with the rest comprised of rocky shores, cliffs and mudflats. Approximately one-fifth of the country’s interior is covered by forests.

Although India has no official national language, Hindi is the most commonly spoken language. English is also used extensively, especially in urban areas. Tourists to India enjoy a wide variety of attractions and geographical diversity, including:

• Sun-washed beaches.
• Lush national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Ancient military and sacred structures.
• Guided jungle walks and lake cruises.

Required Vaccination for India Travel: Yellow Fever Vaccine

Vaccination against yellow fever may be required if entering India from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health will provide you with an official certificate of vaccination for this purpose.

Additional Vaccines That May Be Recommended When Traveling to India

• Hepatitis A
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Malaria (pill form)
• Meningitis
• Rabies*
• Typhoid

*Rabies vaccination is typically only recommended for very high-risk travelers because it is preventable if medical attention is received within 7 – 10 days of an animal bite.

Travelers may also be advised to ensure they have received the routine vaccinations, including:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
• Chickenpox
• Polio
• Influenza

Some adults may need to receive a booster for some of these diseases. Testing for antibody levels should be done well in advance of a planned trip to identify any boosters that are needed.

Older adults or those with certain medical conditions may also want to ask about being vaccinated for shingles and/or pneumonia.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a travel medicine professional. Not all of the vaccines listed here will be necessary for every individual.

Talk to the experts at UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health to determine how you can obtain maximum protection against illness, disease and injury while traveling, based on age, health, medical history and travel itinerary.