The vaccinations and malaria advice for your journey is outlined below. For further details please read the Vaccination Summary below. Vaccinations and malaria tablets given to you may vary and will depend on a number of factors.
It is necessary to visit your local G P and nurse and get the best possible advice from them well before the start of your travel to India.
Vaccination summary
Required Vaccinations
There are no compulsory vaccinations for your journey.
Travellers vaccinations should be in line with the standard UK requirements and your own country vaccination needs.
Diptheria
Diptheria is usually spread by close contact with infected persons. In the UK, the combined diptheria/tetanus/polio vaccine is recommended when diptheria boosters are indicated for adults. A diptheria booster lasts 10 years.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious infection, usually contracted following contamination of wounds. In the UK, after 5 doses of vaccine, tetanus boosters are not routinely required unless travelling to areas with limited medical care. In the UK, the combined diptheria/tetanus/polio vaccine is recommended when tetanus boosters are indicated. A tetanus booster lasts 10 years.
Polio
Polio is a viral infection, which can sometimes cause paralysis. Contaminated food and water usually spread it. In the UK the combined diptheria/tetanus/polio vaccine is recommended when polio boosters are indicated. A polio booster lasts 10 years.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection, which occasionally causes severe liver disease. Contaminated food and water usually spread it. Effective hepatitis A vaccines are available, and boosters last up to 20 years.
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection usually spread by contaminated food and water. It can cause serious illness, but vaccines offer up to 80% protection. Vaccination is generally less important for short-stay travellers staying in good accommodation. To be considered Hepatitis B – Rabies – Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY) – Cholera – Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Tuberculosis (TB)
Malaria
Malaria is a dangerous disease that is spread by mosquitoes that bite from dusk to dawn.
Avoiding mosquito bites
Recommended anti-malaria drugs
If you are at risk of malaria (see above), one of the following schedules is recommended for your journey. They are all effective. Your travel health adviser should discuss which would be the most suitable for you. The schedules for children may be different. Please read the country specific malaria descriptions. Remember it is essential not to miss a dose.
Drug | Dose | Frequency |
Doxycycline | 100mg | Take 1 capsule/tablet daily |
Take with or after food with plenty of cool fluid. Do not lie down for at least one hour after taking the capsule/tablet. You should start taking these capsules/tablets 2 days before entering the first malarial area of your journey and continue them regularly for 4 weeks after leaving the last malarial area. Children under 12 years and women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take this drug. Rarely, this drug can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. A high factor sunscreen may help prevent this.
Malarone | 250mg atovaquone/100mg proguanil | Take 1 tablet daily |
Take with food or a milky drink at the same time each day. You should start these tablets 1-2 days before entering the first malarial area of your journey and continue them regularly for 1 week after leaving the last malarial area. In the UK, Malarone is licensed for use on trips up to 28 days, yet safety studies have shown no problems with 6 months use.
Mefloquine | 50mg | Take 1 tablet weekly |
Mefloquine is not suitable for everybody therefore its use MUST be discussed with your travel health adviser. You should start these tablets at least 1 week (preferably 2-3 weeks) before entering the first malarial area of your journey and continue them regularly for 4 weeks after leaving the last malarial area.
Alternative anti-malarial drugs
If the above anti-malarial drugs are not suitable for you, it is essential to discuss alternative drugs with your travel health adviser.
Malaria symptoms and treatment
The most important symptom to remember is a raised temperature of 38 degrees C or higher starting at least 1 week after first potential exposure to malaria. Other symptoms are variable and cannot be relied on. If you do develop a fever a week or more after exposure to malaria, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you cannot get to medical attention within 24 hours and your condition is deteriorating, you should consider emergency self-treatment. For adults, 4 tablets of Malarone as a single dose on each of three consecutive days can be taken if you are not already taking Malarone to prevent malaria. If you are taking Malarone, your travel health adviser may wish to contact us to discuss alternative treatment options.
Other Health Risks
The following section includes some of the other health risks you may encounter on your journey.
Travellers’ Diarrhoea
There is a significant risk of travellers’ diarrhoea on your journey. Most cases are resolved without treatment, but take care with food and water hygiene. Avoid high risk foods such as salads, shellfish, raw/undercooked meat fish, and unpasteurised dairy products. Drink bottled water with intact seals or boil/purify water. If you do get symptoms, drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions are useful for children and older travellers who can become dehydrated quickly in hot climates. If you feel hungry, continue to eat, but avoid fatty foods. A diarrhoea treatment pack with an antidiarrhoel drug (e.g. loperamide) and antibiotic (e.g. ciprofloxacin – a prescription is needed) can help.
Things to consider
Accidents
Insect Bites
Sun
Medication
Consider taking a copy of your prescription or a generic list of the drugs you take.
Travel Insurance