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India Travel Health Guide

Essential Health Guide to India for UK Travellers

India offers travellers an extraordinary blend of cultural richness, geographical diversity, and historical depth. From the Himalayan peaks to tropical beaches, ancient temples to bustling metropolises, India presents unparalleled experiences. However, to ensure your journey remains memorable for the right reasons, proper vaccination and health preparation are essential. This comprehensive guide provides UK travellers with vital information on recommended vaccinations and health precautions specifically for travel to India.

Essential Vaccinations for India

Routine Vaccinations

Before travelling to India, ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Ensure you’ve had two doses
  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis: Booster recommended if you haven’t had one in the past 10 years
  • Polio: A booster may be recommended, as India was previously endemic for polio
  • Influenza: Recommended, especially if travelling during flu season

Highly Recommended Vaccinations

Hepatitis A

  • Recommendation: Strongly recommended for all travellers to India
  • Why: Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, which is a significant risk throughout India
  • Timing: Ideally 2-4 weeks before travel, though can be given up to the day of departure
  • Protection: A single dose provides protection for approximately one year; a booster at 6-12 months provides longer-term immunity

Find out more about our Hepatitis A Vaccination.

Typhoid

  • Recommendation: Recommended for most travellers to India, particularly those staying with locals or visiting smaller cities and rural areas
  • Why: Protects against typhoid fever, which is spread through contaminated food and water
  • Options: Available as an injection or oral capsules
  • Protection: 2-3 years, depending on the vaccine type

Find out more about our Typhoid Vaccination.

Hepatitis B

  • Recommendation: Recommended for travellers who may have close contact with locals, healthcare exposure, or sexual contact
  • Why: Transmitted through blood and body fluids
  • Timing: Requires multiple doses over 3-6 months (accelerated schedules available)
  • Protection: Long-term protection after completing the series

Find out more about our Hepatitis B Vaccination.

Additional Vaccinations to Consider

Japanese Encephalitis

  • Recommendation: Consider for travellers spending more than one month in rural areas, particularly during the monsoon season or those with extensive outdoor exposure
  • Risk areas: Higher risk in rural northern India, especially Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam
  • Timing: Two doses given 28 days apart (or 7 days apart with an accelerated schedule)
  • Protection: Approximately 1-2 years

Find out more about our Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination.

Rabies

  • Recommendation: Consider for travellers planning extended stays, working with animals, those with significant outdoor exposure, or where access to medical care might be limited
  • Why: Rabies is endemic in domestic and wild animals throughout India, with stray dogs posing a particular risk
  • Pre-exposure vaccination: Requires 2-3 doses depending on the schedule
  • Note: Even with pre-exposure vaccination, medical treatment is needed after potential exposure

Find out more about our Rabies Vaccination.

Cholera

  • Recommendation: Generally not recommended for most travellers to India
  • Consider for: Those working in refugee camps, areas with active outbreaks, or in humanitarian disaster situations
  • Protection: Oral vaccine provides short-term protection

Find out more about our Cholera Vaccination.

Required Vaccinations

India does not currently require any vaccinations for entry directly from the UK. However:

  • Yellow Fever: Certificate required if arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission or after spending more than 12 hours in transit in such a country
  • Polio: Travellers from polio-endemic countries may need to show proof of polio vaccination

Find out more about our Yellow Fever Vaccination.

Find out more about our Polio Vaccination.

Regional Health Risks in India

Northern India (Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh)

  • Dengue fever: Risk in urban areas, particularly during and after monsoon
  • Air pollution: A Significant health concern, especially in Delhi during winter
  • Japanese encephalitis: Risk in rural areas, particularly in Uttar Pradesh
  • Altitude sickness: Risk in Himalayan regions above 2,500m

Southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa)

  • Dengue fever: Present throughout, risk is higher during the monsoon season
  • Malaria: Low risk in most tourist areas, higher in rural regions
  • Leptospirosis: Risk increases during flooding and the monsoon season
  • Chikungunya: Periodic outbreaks

Eastern India (West Bengal, Assam, Odisha)

  • Malaria: Higher risk, including some chloroquine-resistant strains
  • Japanese encephalitis: Endemic in rural areas
  • Dengue fever: Present throughout urban areas
  • Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar): Endemic in parts of Bihar and West Bengal

Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat)

  • Dengue fever: Risk in urban areas, including Mumbai
  • Malaria: Present in rural areas
  • Chikungunya: Periodic outbreaks
  • Scrub typhus: Risk in rural areas with vegetation

Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh)

Malaria: Higher risk, including drug-resistant strains
Japanese encephalitis: Risk in rural areas
Dengue fever: Present in urban areas
Snakebites: Higher risk in rural areas

Malaria Prevention

Malaria risk in India varies significantly by region and season:

  • Higher risk areas: Rural areas of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and northeastern states
  • Moderate risk areas: Rural areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and other central and eastern states
  • Low/no risk areas: Urban Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and most tourist areas in Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, and Himalayan regions

Antimalarial options for India include:

  • Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)
  • Doxycycline
  • Mefloquine (in areas with no resistance)

The appropriate antimalarial medication depends on your specific itinerary, medical history, and current resistance patterns. Some areas of India have chloroquine-resistant malaria, which influences the choice of prophylaxis.

For low-risk areas or very short stays in urban areas only, some travellers may opt for awareness and bite prevention without antimalarial drugs, but this decision should be made in consultation with a travel health specialist.

Find out more about our Malaria Medication.

Common Travel-Related Illnesses in India

Traveller’s Diarrhoea

Risk: Very high throughout India

Prevention:

  • Careful selection of food and beverages
  • Hand hygiene
  •  “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it”

Treatment:

  • Oral rehydration
  • Loperamide for symptomatic relief
  • Antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin) for moderate to severe cases (prescription required)

Delhi Belly

“Delhi Belly” is the colloquial term for traveller’s diarrhoea in India, which may be caused by various bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It’s extremely common among travellers and requires the same prevention and treatment approaches as standard traveller’s diarrhoea.

Respiratory Infections

Risk: Common in urban areas with high pollution levels, particularly Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata

Prevention:

  • Consider masks (N95/PM2.5) in heavily polluted areas
  • Monitor air quality indices
  • Avoid outdoor exercise during high-pollution days
  • Consider portable air purifiers for extended stays

Treatment: Depends on the causative agent

Dengue Fever

Risk: Present throughout India, especially in urban areas and during the monsoon season

Prevention:

  • Daytime mosquito bite prevention (Aedes mosquitoes bite during daylight hours)
  • No vaccine available for travellers

Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash

Treatment: Supportive care, no specific antiviral treatment

Chikungunya

Risk: Periodic outbreaks throughout India

Prevention: Daytime mosquito bite prevention

Symptoms: Fever, joint pain (often severe and potentially long-lasting), headache, muscle pain, rash

Treatment: Supportive care

Heat-Related Illnesses

Risk: High during summer months (March-June), particularly in central and northern India

Prevention:

  • Stay hydrated
  • Avoid midday sun
  • Use appropriate clothing and sunscreen
  • Acclimatise gradually

Treatment: Cooling, rehydration, and medical care for severe cases

Vector-Borne Disease Prevention

Several serious diseases in India are transmitted by insect vectors:

  • Malaria: Night-biting Anopheles mosquitoes
  • Dengue fever: Day-biting Aedes mosquitoes
  • Chikungunya: Day-biting Aedes mosquitoes
  • Japanese encephalitis: Dawn/dusk-biting Culex mosquitoes
  • Leishmaniasis: Sandflies
  • Scrub typhus: Mites in vegetation

Prevention measures:

  • Use insect repellent containing 20-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, especially during peak mosquito activity
  • Sleep under bed nets in accommodations without air conditioning
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear for high-risk areas
  • Stay in accommodations with air conditioning or screens when possible
  • Be aware that mosquitoes that transmit dengue and chikungunya bite during daylight hours
  • Avoid areas with stagnant water where mosquitoes breed

Food and Water Safety

Foodborne and waterborne illnesses are very common in India. To reduce risks:

  • Drink only bottled water with intact seals or water that has been properly purified
  • Avoid ice unless made from purified water
  • Eat thoroughly cooked food served hot
  • Be cautious with street food (if you choose to eat it, select busy stalls with high turnover)
  • Avoid raw vegetables unless you can peel them yourself
  • Be particularly cautious with dairy products, which may be unpasteurised
  • Avoid fruit juices from street vendors (may be diluted with unsafe water)
  • Practice good hand hygiene before eating and carry alcohol-based hand sanitiser

When to Get Vaccinated

  • Plan ahead: Schedule a travel consultation 6-8 weeks before departure
  • Late planning: Even last-minute appointments are valuable
  • Consider timing: Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks
  • Japanese encephalitis: Requires completion at least 10 days before potential exposure

Accessing Healthcare in India

Medical Facilities

  • Major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and other large cities, have excellent private hospitals that meet international standards
  • Tourist areas: Goa, Kerala, and other popular destinations have adequate private medical facilities
  • Rural areas: Limited healthcare facilities with variable standards

Before You Travel

  • Obtain comprehensive travel insurance with adequate medical coverage and evacuation benefits
  • Carry a basic medical kit appropriate for your activities
  • Bring all required prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor’s letter
  • Research the location of suitable medical facilities at your destinations
  • Register with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice service
  • Consider registering with Apollo, Fortis, or Max Healthcare—large hospital chains with locations in many Indian cities

If You Need Medical Care

Common Healthcare Challenges

  • Language barriers (though English is widely spoken in medical facilities)
  • Requirement for upfront payment before treatment
  • Variable quality of care outside major centres
  • Counterfeit medications in some areas (use established pharmacies)
  • Traffic congestion affecting access to medical facilities in emergencies

Special Considerations

Pregnant Travellers

  • Some vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy
  • Air pollution may pose additional risks
  • Limited high-quality obstetric care outside major cities
  • Consider the challenges of accessing emergency care in congested urban areas

Travelling with Children

  • Special consideration is needed for vaccine dosing and timing
  • Some vaccines have minimum age requirements
  • Higher risk of dehydration from traveller’s diarrhoea
  • Particular attention to food, water, and mosquito bite prevention
  • Air pollution may affect children more severely

Travellers with Chronic Conditions

  • May have special vaccine considerations
  • Should carry a letter from their doctor describing their condition and medications
  • Consider the availability of needed medications and medical care
  • May need additional insurance coverage
  • Air pollution may exacerbate respiratory conditions

Current Health Advisories

Health situations can change rapidly. Before travelling to India:

  • Check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice
  • Review current disease outbreaks on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website
  • Consult TravelHealthPro for country-specific updates
  • Be aware of air pollution levels, particularly if travelling to Delhi in the winter months
  • Check monsoon and flooding forecasts if travelling during the monsoon season (June-September)

Travel Health Kit Essentials for India

  • Prescription medications in original packaging with doctor’s letter
  • Antimalarial drugs (if prescribed)
  • Antibiotic for traveller’s diarrhoea (prescription required)
  • Antidiarrhoeal medication
  • Oral rehydration salts
  • Antihistamines
  • Motion sickness remedies
  • Basic first aid supplies (plasters, antiseptic, tweezers, etc.)
  • Digital thermometer
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Insect repellent (20-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin)
  • Sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)
  • Water purification tablets/device
  • N95/PM2.5 masks if visiting heavily polluted cities
  • Alcohol-based hand sanitiser
  • Tissues/toilet paper (not always available in public facilities)

Air Pollution Considerations

Air pollution is a significant health concern in many Indian cities, particularly in northern India during winter months (October-February). Delhi frequently experiences hazardous air quality levels during this period.

Health impacts may include:

  • Respiratory irritation
  • Exacerbation of asthma and COPD
  • Increased risk of respiratory infections
  • Eye irritation
  • Headaches
  • Long-term exposure has been linked to more serious health conditions

Recommendations:

  • Check air quality indices before and during your trip
  • Consider timing your visit to avoid the worst pollution seasons if possible
  • Limit outdoor activities on high-pollution days
  • Use N95/PM2.5 masks when outdoors during high pollution periods
  • Consider portable air purifiers for extended stays
  • Stay hydrated and maintain indoor air quality in accommodations
  • Travellers with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should take particular precautions

Consultation and Booking

It’s essential to consult with a travel health professional before your journey to India. At Park Private Clinic, our travel health specialists can:

  • Assess your specific health needs based on your detailed itinerary
  • Review your medical history and current medications
  • Provide personalised vaccination recommendations
  • Prescribe appropriate antimalarials and other medications
  • Offer comprehensive pre-travel advice
  • Provide destination-specific health information

Book your pre-travel consultation at least 6-8 weeks before departure for optimal protection.

Find out more on our Nottingham Travel Clinic page.

View our price list for vaccines and medicines here.

Resources for Further Information

This information was last updated in June 2025. Please note that travel health requirements and recommendations are subject to change. Always consult with a healthcare provider for the most current advice before travelling.