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India

South Asia · Updated April 2026

See a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before you leave.

Planning a trip to India? CDC recommends Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and typhoid vaccines for most travellers because food- and water-borne illness is common outside controlled hotel kitchens. Depending on where you're going, your doctor may also discuss Japanese encephalitis, rabies, chikungunya, or cholera — dogs, mosquitoes, and contaminated water are the main risks behind those. Book a travel health appointment 4–6 weeks before you leave so they can match the plan to your itinerary.

Malaria is a risk across lowland India, including Mumbai and New Delhi. There's no malaria risk above about 2,000 m, which covers parts of the northern mountain states and higher areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Required for entry

No vaccines are currently required for entry to India from most countries.

Exception: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination — If arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Travellers aged 9 months and older without a valid certificate can be detained for up to 6 days.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to India.

Food & Water

Hepatitis A

A contagious liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Most travellers to regions with less reliable sanitation should get this vaccine.

Two doses at 0 and 6–12 months. Over 90% of people develop protective antibodies within a month of the first dose, so one dose is usually enough for the trip itself. No booster needed after the full series.

Blood & Body Fluids

Hepatitis B

A liver infection spread through blood, sexual contact, and contaminated medical or cosmetic equipment. Recommended for most travellers, especially those with longer stays or possible medical exposure.

The full series is three doses over 6 months. An accelerated 4-dose schedule (0, 7, 21 days, 12 months) is available when combined with Hepatitis A. Partial protection starts after the first dose.

Food & Water

Typhoid

A bacterial infection spread through food and water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Risk is higher in rural areas and when eating with locals.

The injected vaccine is a single dose at least 2 weeks before travel and lasts 2 years. The oral version is four capsules taken every other day, completed at least a week before travel, and lasts 5 years. Neither is 100% effective — safe food and water habits still matter.

Recommended for some travellers

Depends on your itinerary, activities, duration, or health.

Mosquito

Japanese Encephalitis

A mosquito-borne virus affecting the brain, found in rural parts of Asia. Risk is highest during rice-paddy season in rural areas.

Animal Contact

Rabies

A fatal viral disease spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal — most often dogs, bats, or monkeys. Pre-travel vaccination simplifies treatment after exposure.

Mosquito

Chikungunya

A mosquito-borne virus causing sudden fever and severe joint pain. Symptoms usually resolve in 7–10 days but can linger for months.

Food & Water

Cholera

A bacterial infection spread through contaminated water, causing severe diarrhoea. Rare in travellers but worth considering for aid workers or travel to areas with active outbreaks.

Malaria

Not a vaccine

Risk throughout the country, including Mumbai and New Delhi. No risk above 2,000 m, which covers parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and higher areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Most travellers to lowland India should take malaria pills.

Discuss prescription chemoprophylaxis with a travel doctor if your itinerary includes risk areas.

Routine vaccines to be up to date on

CDC advises every international traveller to have these current.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Two doses at least 28 days apart, ideally completed at least 2 weeks before travel. Adults born before 1957 or with documented immunity are already considered protected.
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
A single Tdap or Td booster, effective within days. Adults should have a booster every 10 years — or after 5 years if you've had a dirty wound or burn. Pregnant travellers should receive Tdap during every pregnancy.
Polio
A single lifetime adult IPV booster for travellers to at-risk countries. For some destinations, the booster must be received 4 weeks to 12 months before departure and documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination.
Flu (Influenza)
An annual dose at least 2 weeks before travel to areas with active flu circulation. A single current-season vaccine covers travel to either hemisphere.
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Two doses at least 28 days apart for adolescents and adults without immunity. Children get doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years. Two documented doses protect most people for life.
Shingles
Two doses of Shingrix 2–6 months apart. Protection stays high for at least 7 years. Adults 19+ with weakened immune systems can use a faster schedule (2nd dose 1–2 months after).
COVID-19
Follow the current CDC schedule for your age and risk group. If you had COVID-19 recently, you may delay vaccination for up to 3 months from the onset of infection.

Entry requirements

For US citizens. Non-US travellers should check their government's guidance.

Passport validity6 months beyond travel
VisaAll US citizens require a visa before arrival.
Yellow fever certificateOnly if arriving from a YF-risk country

India has elevated chikungunya risk and widespread dog-transmitted rabies. CDC has flagged counterfeit ABHAYRAB rabies vaccine circulating in Delhi — only get rabies shots at reputable hospitals if exposed.

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — India.

Disclaimer:This information is for general guidance only, based on CDC Travelers' Health. It does not replace advice from a qualified travel health professional. Consult a doctor 4–6 weeks before your trip.