India Travel Requirements & 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 being comprised of rocky shores, cliffs and mudflats. Approximately 1/5 of the country’s interior is covered by forests.
Although India has no official, national language, Hindi is the most commonly spoken language with English 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 VACCINATIONS 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 will provide you with an official certificate of vaccination for this purpose.
Additional Vaccines That May Be Recommended When Travelling to India
- Hepatitis A
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Malaria (pill form)
- Meningitis
- Rabies*
- Typhoid
*Rabies vaccination is typically only recommended for very high risk travelers given that it is completely 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 listed below. Some adults may need to receive a booster for some of these diseases:
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- Chickenpox
- Polio
- Influenza
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 each member of your family can obtain maximum protection against illness, disease and injury while traveling, based on age, health, medical history and travel itinerary.