Recommended Vaccinations for Travel to India
For travelers to India, the recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, typhoid, routine vaccinations (MMR, Tdap, influenza, polio), and consideration for hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever (if coming from endemic areas). 1, 2, 3
Routine Vaccinations
- Ensure all routine vaccinations are current, including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), as measles remains uncontrolled in many countries 2
- Update Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination before travel 2
- Get influenza vaccination, particularly important for those at high risk for complications 2
- Confirm polio immunity before traveling, as travelers to developing countries should be protected against poliomyelitis 2
Highly Recommended Vaccines for India
- Hepatitis A vaccination is strongly recommended for most travelers to India due to risk of foodborne and waterborne exposure 1, 2
- Typhoid vaccination is recommended, especially for those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or who may consume food from local markets 1, 2
Consider Based on Risk Assessment
- Hepatitis B vaccination for travelers who may have sexual contact with new partners, receive medical/dental treatment, or have potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids 3, 1
- Rabies vaccination for travelers involved in outdoor activities, working with animals, or staying for extended periods 2, 4
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine for those spending more than 30 days in rural areas of India 1, 4
- Yellow fever vaccination is required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission 5
Timing and Administration
- Start vaccinations 4-6 weeks before departure to ensure adequate time for developing immunity 3, 6
- Multiple vaccines can be administered simultaneously without reducing effectiveness 3, 7
- For last-minute travelers, accelerated schedules may be available for hepatitis A and B 6
- Even if the first dose of hepatitis A vaccine is given on the day of travel, it can provide adequate protection 6
Special Considerations
- Pregnant women should generally avoid live virus vaccines but can receive inactivated vaccines as needed 8
- Immunocompromised individuals should avoid live vaccines but can usually safely receive inactivated vaccines 2
- Travelers with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases should follow general vaccination recommendations but avoid live attenuated vaccines if immunosuppressed 8
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Failing to get vaccinations with enough lead time before travel (start 4-6 weeks before departure) 3
- Focusing only on travel-specific vaccines while neglecting to update routine vaccinations 2, 3
- Not carrying proper documentation of vaccinations, especially if required at border crossings 5
- Underestimating the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases in India, which is one of the main diagnoses among travelers requiring medical care 1