Before traveling to India, travelers should check the status of routine vaccinations. Routine immunizations occur throughout a person's life, beginning in childhood. In the United States, the CDC recommends that adults get booster vaccinations for Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), influenza, polio, chickenpox (varicella) and Diptheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT). Individuals who never had chickenpox or only received one dose of the vaccine should ask their doctor if they need a second dose. Adults should get a DPT booster every ten years and a flu shot and H1N1 shot yearly, especially if they fall into a high-risk category. People should keep records of these shots as proof of immunization before they travel abroad.
Hepatitis A and typhoid can occur through exposure to contaminated food or water. Typhoid might be present in smaller cities and rural areas. Vaccinations for Hepatitis B are important for those who will come into contact with blood and other body fluids or be exposed through sexual contact with locals or through medical treatment. Malaria, which occurs is various parts of India, is a serious and sometimes fatal disease passed person to person by mosquitoes. In addition to bed nets and bug repellent, people should take antimalarial drugs for protection. The CDC recommends buying antimalarial drugs in the U.S. to ensure the drugs meet U.S. manufacturing standards since many drugs bought overseas do not and are not as effective.
Yellow fever occurs mostly in Africa and South America. According to the CDC, travelers coming from countries where yellow fever occurs, whether they live there or recently visited the country, must show proof of yellow fever vaccination. Travelers who will be spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural parts of India, and engaging in activities like hiking, biking, camping or coming into contact with animals, especially bats, should be vaccinated for rabies.
U.S. citizens traveling abroad should visit a medical professional specializing in travel medicine at least four to six weeks before travel, according to the CDC. The reason for this recommendation is that most vaccinations may come in a series of doses to be taken over time; vaccines also need a certain amount of time to become effective against disease. Travel clinics are set up across the country. These health providers will be able to determine what vaccines will be necessary based on a traveler's health and the nature of the trip.
