Travelling Well in India I : Medical & Health Essentials

Let us guess…you’re planning a trip to India!

You’re dreaming about the colours, the food, the beautiful hotels, bustling markets and unforgettable experiences that make India unlike anywhere else in the world. But before you head off on your adventure, it’s important to make sure you’re well prepared from a health perspective too - and that’s where All India Permit Tours comes in.

India is an extraordinary destination and, with a little preparation, most people travel extremely well. Below are the vaccinations and health preparations we generally recommend discussing with your doctor or travel clinic before you travel.

Tetanus

Tetanus is found worldwide, including in soil and dust, so it’s important to ensure your vaccination is up to date before travelling anywhere internationally.

Hepatitis A + Typhoid (Vivaxim)

This is one of the most commonly recommended travel vaccinations for India as both illnesses can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. Even though we travel carefully and dine at excellent establishments, this added protection provides valuable peace of mind.

Hepatitis B

This vaccination is often recommended for travellers spending extended time overseas or those who may require medical or dental treatment while travelling.

MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)

Measles outbreaks still occur globally and international travel increases exposure risk, particularly in airports and busy transit environments. It’s worth checking your immunity is current.

Flu Vaccination

Influenza circulates year-round in many parts of India and catching the flu can quickly derail a holiday. A flu vaccination before departure is strongly recommended.

Cholera

While not essential for all travellers, the oral cholera vaccine is often recommended because it may provide additional protection against traveller’s diarrhoea - one of the most common travel disruptions in India.

Rabies Vaccination

India does have a large stray dog population and rabies remains present in some animal populations. While the chances of being bitten are low if you avoid interacting with animals, some travellers choose to have the vaccination for additional peace of mind, particularly if travelling rurally or for extended periods.

Covid-19 Vaccinations

Covid vaccinations are currently not required to enter India, however travellers may wish to remain up to date for their own protection and comfort while travelling.

Further Medical Preparation

Most of the regions visited on our tours are not considered high-risk malaria zones, so anti-malarial medication is generally not required. In fact, some anti-malarials can have unpleasant side effects, so it’s best to discuss this carefully with your travel doctor. That said, bug spray is absolutely essential - mosquitoes and insects are very common, particularly in the evenings and in tropical regions like Kerala.

One thing I personally recommend is starting a probiotic around a month before departure. India’s food is incredible, but the range of spices, flavours and cooking styles can be quite different to what your digestive system is used to at home. Preparing your gut before you travel can really help.

There are a number of good travel probiotics available from pharmacies. Start taking them around 30 days before departure and continue throughout your travels in India.

And finally…don’t stress too much! With good preparation, common sense and a sense of adventure, most people travel extremely well in India and absolutely fall in love with the experience.

Now all that’s left to do is pack your bags - preferably with plenty of spare room for textiles, jewellery, homewares and all the fabulous shopping you’re inevitably going to discover along the way!