India Travel Vaccinations

Planning a trip to India? We're here to help you get any essential health requirements in order. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about what travel vaccinations you might need for your journey. Below you'll find recommended vaccines, malaria advice, potential health risks, and how to book travel vaccinations with Well Pharmacy to help you prepare for your trip with confidence.

The recommended travel vaccinations for India largely depend on the following factors:

• The length of your trip
• Which specific regions in India you plan on visiting
• Whether you’ll be spending time in rural areas
• Any planned activities such as trekking, volunteering or backpacking
• Your vaccination history

However, generally speaking, you can use the clinical guidance below* to help prepare for your appointment with us.

• Routine UK vaccinations – you should be up to date with any routine vaccinations and boosters recommended according to your age, medical history and individual risks. This includes checking that vaccinations such as MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio are up to date.

• Yellow Fever certificate – there is no risk of Yellow Fever in India. However, travellers aged 9 months and over may need a vaccination certificate if arriving within 6 days of leaving an area with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission. If you're travelling directly from the UK and haven't recently visited a Yellow Fever risk area, a certificate isn't normally required.
• Polio certificate – there is currently no risk of polio in India, although proof of polio vaccination may be required for some travellers, depending on their travel route.

• Hepatitis A – an infection that can be spread through contaminated food or water or direct contact with an infected person. Vaccination is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers visiting India.
• Tetanus – bacteria found in soil and manure can enter the body through wounds, burns or scratches. You should have completed the standard UK vaccination course, while a booster may be recommended if your last dose was more than 10 years ago and medical facilities could be limited during your trip.
• Typhoid - an infection spread through contaminated food and water. Vaccination is recommended for most travellers to India, particularly those visiting friends or relatives, staying for longer periods, or travelling in areas with poor food hygiene and sanitation.

• Hepatitis B – spread through infected blood and bodily fluids. Vaccination can be considered for all travellers and is particularly recommended for longer stays or trips involving an increased risk of exposure through medical treatment, work, contact sports, or unprotected sex.
• Cholera – an infection spread through contaminated food and water. The risk for most travellers is low, but vaccination may be recommended for people visiting areas with active cholera transmission and limited access to safe water or medical care, including some humanitarian or aid workers.
• Rabies – usually spread through the bite, scratch or saliva of an infected animal. Rabies is considered a risk in India and vaccination may be recommended for longer stays, higher-risk activities, animal-related work, or travel to areas where prompt medical treatment could be difficult to access.
• Japanese Encephalitis – a mosquito-borne infection found across India, with risk present year-round and seasonal peaks during and shortly after the monsoon, particularly in northern regions. Vaccination may be considered for longer stays, frequent travel or trips involving increased exposure in rural areas.
• Chikungunya – spread mainly by daytime-feeding mosquitoes. Vaccination may be considered for travellers aged 12 and over visiting an area with a current outbreak or making long-term or frequent trips to higher-risk regions.
• Dengue – dengue is spread by mosquitoes and is a recognised risk in India. Vaccination may be considered for some travellers aged four and over, particularly those who have previously had dengue.
• Tuberculosis (TB) – BCG vaccination is recommended for certain higher-risk travellers, including some unvaccinated children under 16 who will be living in India for more than three months and people whose work puts them at increased risk of exposure to tuberculosis.

• Dengue Fever – dengue is present in India and is spread by mosquitoes that mainly bite during the daytime. Using insect repellent, covering exposed skin where practical, and taking other steps to avoid mosquito bites can help reduce your risk.
• Diarrhoea – contaminated food and water can cause a range of illnesses while travelling. Good hand hygiene and taking care over what you eat and drink can help reduce your risk.
• Malaria - malaria risk varies across India. Preventive malaria tablets might be recommended for travel to Mizoram, Odisha, and Tripura based on an individual traveller risk assessment, taking into account your itinerary, medical history and other relevant clinical factors. Most of the rest of India, including Goa and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is considered low risk, while there is no malaria risk in the Lakshadweep islands. This is based on the current 2026 UKMEAG guidance.
• Zika virus - there is a risk of Zika virus in India. It is mainly spread by daytime-feeding mosquitoes and can also be sexually transmitted. Pregnant women should discuss the suitability of travel with a healthcare professional, and all travellers should take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
• Air pollution – poor air quality can be a significant health concern in India, particularly in northern cities during the winter months from October to February. Children, older people, and those with existing heart or respiratory conditions may be more vulnerable to its effects.