Travel Vaccines for India
India is one of the highest-preparation destinations for Canadian travellers. Vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera is routinely recommended, and malaria prophylaxis is advised for many regions. Begin preparing 6–8 weeks before departure.
Recommended vaccines for India
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Cholera (Dukoral)
- Rabies (for rural or extended travel)
- Japanese Encephalitis (for rural travel >1 month)
Malaria risk & prevention
Malaria is present year-round in most of India below 2,000 m. Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) or doxycycline is typically recommended. Mefloquine is an alternative for longer trips.
Key health considerations
- 1Traveller's diarrhea is extremely common — bottled water and food hygiene are essential.
- 2Air quality in northern cities (Delhi, Agra) can be hazardous; travellers with asthma should carry reliever medication.
- 3Rabies is endemic — avoid contact with stray dogs, monkeys and bats. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for longer or rural trips.
- 4Dengue fever is widespread; use strict mosquito-bite prevention during daytime.
Travel-health tips
- Pack a full travel medical kit with oral rehydration salts, loperamide, and a short-course antibiotic prescribed by our physician.
- Drink bottled or filtered water only. Avoid ice, raw salads and unpasteurized dairy.
- Wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk; use 20–30% DEET.
Ready to prepare for India?
Book a virtual consultation with a licensed Canadian physician. We will build your personalized vaccine plan and administer everything at our Toronto pharmacy.
Book your consultationFrequently asked: India
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for India?
No — India does not require yellow fever vaccination unless you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. If you are connecting through Africa or South America, a certificate may be required.
Is malaria medication required for all of India?
Most of India below 2,000 m elevation has malaria risk. Major cities like Delhi and Mumbai are considered low-risk but risk is not zero. Our physician will review your exact itinerary and recommend prophylaxis if indicated.
How far in advance should I book my consultation for India?
We recommend 6–8 weeks before departure. Rabies pre-exposure takes 3 weeks for the series, and hepatitis B takes longest for full protection. Last-minute consultations are still valuable.
Explore other destinations
This information is for educational purposes and reflects common recommendations for healthy adult Canadian travellers. Individual recommendations depend on your health history, itinerary, and current advisories from the Public Health Agency of Canada and WHO. A consultation with our physician is required before any prescription is issued.