Is it recommended to get vaccinations before visiting India?

My first port of call for vaccinations is the World Health Organisation (Apologies, can't link directly to India, select it from the drop down).

Essentially they're concerned if you've come from a Yellow Fever area, and should have both the book + stamp to prove vaccination, and of course have had the vaccination. Of course if you've not been to those countries, then it's not as important. They recommend not getting the Yellow Fever vaccination for India.

The other concern is Malaria. Below 2000m it exists throughout the country. Unfortunately there's no vaccination, and some strains are even resistant to some drugs. You'll need to look at what area you're going to, and then find out if it's worth getting a drug to take while in that area (they're simple tablets). Your GP or travel doctor can advise.

Personally if there's a risk of Malaria, I take the pills. They're cheap, don't seem to give me side effects, and I've seen people who have had Malaria and would rather not take that risk.

On NHS Fit for travel we can find the following information about immunisations for India:

• Courses or boosters usually advised: Hepatitis A; Tetanus; Typhoid.
• Other vaccines to consider: Cholera; Diphtheria; Hepatitis B; Japanese Encephalitis; Rabies.

You should also consider suitable antimalarial tablets, if travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes and causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting, headaches (sometimes muscle pains, diarrhoea, generally feeling unwell) and in severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma or death.

The risk is highest in north-eastern states including Assam and Orissa. It may be considered for certain groups who may be at higher risk e.g. longer stay in rural areas, visiting friends or relatives, those with medical conditions, immunosuppression or those without a spleen.

For full list of high risk areas, please check India Malaria Map at NHS site.

The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveller. So it is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. They will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets.

See also:

• Malaria Travel Health Advice at Fit For Travel (NHS) including country specific malaria information and malaria maps.
• Malaria and Travelers at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to find out whether malaria is a problem in the country where you will be traveling.