Vaccinations for travel to India: mandatory and recommended

The first thing to know is that the most accurate information about vaccinations for travel to India depends on your country of origin, which regions you are visiting and the length of your stay. Therefore, it is advisable to visit a tropical medicine and international vaccination center to obtain the necessary assistance for your trip.

However, if you would like some brief guidance, here are the vaccinations and travel tips I have been given on successive visits.

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Mandatory vaccinations for a trip to India

There are no mandatory vaccinations to go to India, at least in general. You may only be asked for the yellow fever vaccine if you come from a country where this disease is endemic, or you have traveled to an affected country.

This is a very extensive list of countries that may have some affectation (as an example, I am vaccinated, and I often travel to Paraguay, but in India, I have never been asked for the yellow booklet of this vaccine).

• African countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
• Countries in the Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Recommended vaccinations to go to India

There are a number of vaccinations that you will be advised to get if you are planning a trip to India (any destination). These are:

• Vaccine against typhus or typhoid fever. It can be taken orally (3 pills) or by injection. It has a three-year effect and protects against a disease transmitted by the bite of a flea.
• Hepatitis A and B vaccines. These are vaccines that in Spain have been included in the normal vaccination schedule since the 90s. If you do not have it, it has three doses that must be applied at a certain distance in time. Normally, one before the trip and then you have to follow the schedule until it is completed. Only once in a lifetime.
• Tetanus vaccine. It is part of the normal childhood vaccination schedule. It used to require a reminder every 10 years, but it is now known to be more effective over time.

The rest of the diseases that have a certain danger in India do not have a vaccine, and precautions must be taken with water and insects.

Health tips for your trip

There is no need to be afraid of common diseases in India when you travel. Many travelers are frightened to hear that India has dengue or malaria. In reality, they have a fairly seasonal impact or are restricted to certain areas of the country.

Mosquitoes

There are several diseases transmitted by the same mosquito. These are dengues fever, malaria and chikungunya. All of these diseases can be cured, and while there is a malaria prophylaxis that can be taken before and during travel, there is no protection for the other two diseases.

In general, there are more mosquitoes after the rainy season in the months of September-November, which tend to coincide with major dengue outbreaks in India.

I recommend that you use mosquito repellent at dawn and dusk when they are most active. In India, you can easily find Odomos brand in cream, lotion and spray. You can also wear long sleeves to minimize the exposed areas.

Water

Another element to consider is to avoid drinking tap water. Water in India is not always treated as it is in Western countries. Even Indians have filters at home to make it drinkable. Tap water may contain bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause intestinal discomfort.

It is easy to get bottled water on a tour in India and, at a bad one, drink boiled water or tea which, having been boiled for a few minutes, will greatly reduce the chances of infection. It is also recommended to avoid any raw fruits or vegetables that you have not washed with good water or peeled yourself.

Remember: it never hurts to take precautions, but there is no need to be afraid of the trip or of life.

Air conditioning

The contrast between the heat outside and the cold inside is very pronounced in the warmer months. Air-conditioned transports tend to be very hot and it is difficult not to catch a cold.

You should always carry a scarf, a thin sweater or a pashmina to cover your throat area in particular. Believe it or not, sore throats and colds are the most common ailments among my travelers in India.

What to do when returning from a trip to India if I feel unwell

On a trip to India, it is very unlikely that you will have a health problem that requires treatment when you return. However, if you have returned from a trip to India and are not feeling quite well after a few days, it is important that you visit a tropical medicine center. They specialize in the various ailments and infectious diseases of tropical countries such as India.

Sometimes your discomfort will pass in a few days, but if it persists it may be an intestinal parasite or an amoeba that can be easily eliminated, but should not be left untreated. I give you some suggestions of my own country, Spain, but you should search for some similar facility in your home country.

• In Barcelona, the reference center is Centro de Salud Internacional Drassanes – Vall d’Hebrón at 17, Sant Oleguer St. You can schedule an appointment without even needing to be a resident and have a health card, and in case of an emergency, you can go to the center without an appointment.
• In Madrid, you can go to the Centro Madrid Salud Internacional at 22 Montesa street or send an e-mail.

The Spanish Ministry of Health has international vaccination centers in all the autonomous communities, but when you return it is best to go to the medical centers of reference.