What vaccinations do I need for India from the UK?
Most travellers to India should check that their routine UK vaccinations are complete. Hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid protection are recommended for many trips, while hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, cholera and other vaccines may be considered after an individual risk assessment.
Your recommendations depend on where you are going, how long you will stay, whether you are visiting family, your accommodation, planned activities, medical history and previous vaccinations.
Book an India travel consultation
Appointments take place at Bute Clinic above Treherbert Pharmacy. You can also call 01443 776133. Vaccination and prescription medicines remain subject to clinical assessment and availability.
What vaccinations do I need for India at a glance
- All travellers: check that routine UK vaccination is complete, including MMR and the combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio course.
- Most travellers: hepatitis A is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers; typhoid is recommended for most travellers, particularly those visiting friends and relatives or travelling for longer.
- Tetanus protection: a booster may be recommended if the last dose was more than 10 years ago and medical facilities may be limited.
- Some travellers: hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, cholera and chikungunya vaccination may be appropriate depending on itinerary and personal risk.
- Malaria: tablet recommendations vary by state, itinerary and traveller. Most of India is currently classed as low risk, but tablets are recommended for specified higher-risk states.
- Certificates: yellow fever or polio evidence may be required for some travellers depending on where they have recently travelled or transited.
Country guidance can change. Check the latest TravelHealthPro India guidance and FCDO India health advice before departure.
Which vaccinations may be recommended for India?
Hepatitis A
Recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers because infection can spread through contaminated food and water.
£50 per dose
Typhoid
Recommended for most travellers, especially those visiting friends or relatives, young children, frequent travellers and longer stays where sanitation may be poor.
£35 per dose
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio
Routine UK protection should be complete. A booster may be recommended for some travellers when the last dose was more than 10 years ago.
£35 per dose
Hepatitis B
May be considered for all travellers and is particularly relevant for long stays, visiting family, possible medical treatment, healthcare work, contact sports or blood and sexual exposure.
£45 per dose
Hepatitis A and B combined
May be useful where protection against both infections is indicated and the schedule is clinically suitable.
£80 per dose
Rabies
Recommended for some travellers, including longer stays, limited access to medical treatment, animal-related work, cycling, running and other higher-risk activities.
£95 per dose
Japanese encephalitis
May be considered for prolonged or frequent travel, rural stays, uncertain itineraries or activities near rice fields, wetlands and pig farms.
£115 per dose
Cholera
Not routinely needed for ordinary tourism. It may be considered for humanitarian work, outbreak areas or travellers with limited access to safe water and medical care.
£34 per dose
Chikungunya
May be considered for eligible long-term or frequent travellers or travel to an area with a current outbreak. Mosquito protection remains essential.
Prices are per dose. Several vaccines require a course, so total cost depends on the recommended schedule. Vaccine selection is confirmed after clinical assessment.
Do I need malaria tablets for India?
Not every traveller needs malaria tablets. Current UK guidance classifies malaria risk differently across India:
- Mizoram, Odisha and Tripura: malaria prevention tablets are currently recommended.
- Most of the rest of India, including Goa and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands: currently classed as low risk, with awareness and rigorous mosquito-bite avoidance normally advised.
- Lakshadweep Islands: currently listed as having no malaria risk.
Tablets may still be considered in a low-risk area for some people, including long-stay travellers visiting friends and relatives, pregnant travellers, young children, older people, those without a functioning spleen and people with complex medical conditions.
Malaria and post-travel fever safety advice
- No malaria tablet is completely effective. Combine any prescribed tablets with careful bite avoidance.
- Recommended options for higher-risk areas may include atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine, depending on age, pregnancy, health conditions, interactions and itinerary.
- Take the chosen medicine exactly as directed before, during and after the malaria-risk part of the trip.
- Seek immediate medical assessment for a fever of 38°C or more after visiting a malaria-risk area, or for a malaria-like illness within one year of returning. Clearly state your travel history.
Does the advice change for Goa, Delhi, Kerala or visiting family?
Yes. Two travellers on the same flight may receive different recommendations because the important factor is the complete itinerary and pattern of exposure.
- Goa resort holidayHepatitis A, typhoid and routine vaccine status remain relevant. Goa is currently classed as low malaria risk, but mosquito precautions are still needed for malaria, dengue and chikungunya.
- Delhi, Agra and JaipurA Golden Triangle itinerary still requires food, water and mosquito risk assessment. North Indian air pollution can be particularly severe during winter.
- Kerala and southern IndiaRecommendations depend on rural travel, season, accommodation and duration rather than the state name alone. Bring each overnight location to the consultation.
- Visiting friends and relativesLonger stays, local food and water exposure, rural visits and assumptions of inherited protection can increase risk. Typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies and malaria deserve particular attention.
- Backpacking or rural travelUncertain routes, simple accommodation, animal contact and reduced access to medical care may increase the relevance of rabies, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and malaria prevention.
- Leh and high-altitude travelLeh is above 3,500 metres. Gradual ascent and acclimatisation are essential; vaccination does not address altitude illness risk.
Should I have a rabies vaccine for India?
Rabies is a recognised risk in India and has been reported in domestic animals. Dogs cause many exposures, but cats, monkeys and bats can also present a risk.
Pre-travel vaccination is particularly worth considering for:
- Trips lasting more than one month.
- Children, who may approach animals or fail to report a scratch or lick.
- Cycling, running, animal work or other activities that increase exposure.
- Travel where prompt, reliable post-exposure treatment may be difficult to obtain.
Pre-exposure vaccination does not remove the need for urgent treatment after a bite, scratch or lick to broken skin. It simplifies treatment and removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin, which may be difficult to obtain.
After any possible rabies exposure
- Wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water.
- Apply a suitable antiseptic where available.
- Seek urgent assessment from a reputable medical provider, even if the injury appears trivial and even if you were vaccinated before travel.
- Contact your travel insurer or medical assistance service.
TravelHealthPro currently carries an alert about falsified rabies vaccine reported in India. Use verified medical facilities and do not rely on products obtained from an unverified source.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for India?
There is no yellow fever disease risk within India. However, India has a certificate requirement for some travellers arriving from, or recently transiting through, a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Current guidance states that a certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving within 6 days of departure from a yellow-fever-risk area. Transit circumstances can also matter.
Tell the clinician about every country and airport on your route, including stopovers. Do not assess the requirement from your final UK departure point alone.
When should I get vaccinations for India?
-
Start checking what vaccinations I need for India at least 8 weeks before travel
The FCDO recommends reviewing India vaccine and health risks at least eight weeks before departure.
-
Aim to attend 4 to 6 weeks before departure
This gives time for vaccines to work and for schedules involving more than one dose. Earlier review may be useful for complex itineraries or health conditions.
-
Still book if you are travelling soon
Some vaccines, malaria advice and risk-reduction measures may still be useful. A late appointment is preferable to making assumptions without assessment.
What happens at your India travel appointment?
- Itinerary review: cities, states, rural areas, dates, accommodation, activities and all international stopovers.
- Clinical assessment: age, pregnancy, health conditions, medicines, allergies, immune status and previous vaccine reactions.
- Vaccination-history check: bring NHS, occupational or private vaccine records where available.
- Personalised plan: vaccines, malaria prevention, certificate requirements, bite avoidance and food and water precautions.
- Vaccination: suitable vaccines can often be administered at the appointment when stock is available.
Other health risks to consider before travelling to India
- Dengue and chikungunyaBoth are spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes. Repellent and bite avoidance are important in towns as well as rural areas.
- Zika and pregnancyIndia is classed as having Zika risk. Pregnant travellers and people planning pregnancy should obtain current specialist advice.
- Food and water illnessHepatitis A and typhoid vaccination reduce selected risks but do not prevent every cause of diarrhoea. Careful food, water and hand hygiene remain essential.
- Air pollutionNorth Indian cities can experience severe pollution, especially from October to February. This may affect people with heart or lung conditions and pregnant travellers.
- AltitudeDestinations above 2,500 metres carry altitude illness risk. Gradual ascent is more important than fitness.
- Medicines and insuranceCarry enough regular medication, retain original packaging and arrange insurance covering existing conditions and medical evacuation.
Are travel vaccinations for India free on the NHS?
Some travel vaccines may be available without charge through an NHS service after a travel risk assessment. NHS guidance lists hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio-containing travel vaccination among those that may be provided through NHS routes.
Other vaccines, including hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis, are not routinely funded by the NHS for travel and are usually supplied privately.
Provision varies between GP practices. Bute Clinic offers a free private travel consultation and clearly explains the likely vaccine schedule and private cost before treatment. Review the current NHS travel vaccination guidance if you are considering an NHS route.
Frequently asked questions
What vaccinations do I need for India?
Routine UK vaccinations should be complete. Hepatitis A is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers, and typhoid is recommended for most travellers. Tetanus, hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, cholera and other vaccines depend on your itinerary and personal risk.
Are vaccinations mandatory to enter India?
There is no single vaccination certificate required for every traveller arriving directly from the UK. Yellow fever certification and, in some circumstances, polio evidence may be required depending on recent travel and transit history.
Do I need malaria tablets for India?
It depends on the states visited and the traveller. Tablets are currently recommended for Mizoram, Odisha and Tripura. Most other areas, including Goa, are classed as low risk, although tablets may still be considered for some higher-risk travellers.
What vaccinations do I need for Goa?
Hepatitis A, typhoid and routine UK vaccination status are commonly reviewed. Goa is currently classed as low malaria risk, but mosquito-bite prevention remains important. Advice changes if the trip includes rural areas, other states or a longer stay.
How far in advance should I get India travel vaccines?
Start checking requirements around eight weeks before departure and aim to attend a consultation at least four to six weeks before travel. It is still worth booking if the trip is sooner.
How much do vaccinations for India cost?
Costs depend on the vaccines and number of doses required. At Bute Clinic, relevant travel vaccines currently start from £34 per dose and the initial travel consultation is free.
Is a rabies vaccine worth considering for India?
It may be particularly valuable for longer stays, children, runners, cyclists, animal-related work, rural or remote travel and trips where reliable emergency treatment may be difficult to access.
Can I get India travel vaccinations near Treorchy?
Yes. Bute Clinic is above Treherbert Pharmacy and provides private travel consultations and vaccination appointments for people from Treherbert, Treorchy, Rhondda and surrounding South Wales communities.
Book your India travel vaccination consultation
Arrange a free travel consultation at Bute Clinic for personalised India vaccine, malaria, certificate and travel-health advice. Bring your full itinerary and any previous vaccination records.
Book an India travel consultation
You can also call 01443 776133. Vaccines and prescription medicines are supplied only where clinically suitable.
Local travel clinic appointments
Bute Clinic welcomes travellers from across the upper Rhondda and nearby valleys.
- Treherbert
- Treorchy
- Rhondda
- Tonypandy
- Porth
- Aberdare
- Mountain Ash
- Merthyr Tydfil
Related services and guidance
- Travel ClinicFull vaccine prices, malaria prevention and private travel-health appointments.
- Bute ClinicPrivate clinical services above Treherbert Pharmacy.
- Period delayPrivate assessment for suitable patients preparing for a holiday or event.
- Private COVID vaccinationPrivate vaccination following an individual suitability assessment.
Contact Bute Clinic by Treherbert Pharmacy
Written by: Jonathan James, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, GPhC 2066318
Clinical reviewer: Thomas Harries, Superintendent Pharmacist, GPhC 2210031
Last reviewed: 24/06/2026