What vaccines do I need for India?

Required: Yellow Fever (required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country), Polio (proof of vaccination may be required for certain travelers). Recommended by the CDC: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid (strongly recommended — typhoid fever is very common), Japanese Encephalitis (rural travel, especially Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Kerala), Rabies (strongly recommended for most travelers), Meningococcal (for pilgrimage travel).

Is tap water safe to drink in India?

Tap water is not safe to drink in India. Drink bottled or treated water throughout your trip, including in resort areas.

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South Asia

India Travel Health

Reviewed by Alexander Webber, Chief Epidemiologist · Updated 2026-08

India is an enormously diverse country with health risks varying dramatically by region, season, and elevation. From the Himalayan north to tropical Kerala, travelers face mosquito-borne diseases, foodborne illness, air pollution, and altitude sickness. Healthcare ranges from world-class private hospitals in Delhi and Mumbai to very limited rural facilities.

Food Safety: High Risk Tap Water: Unsafe Malaria Risk Present

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Vaccines for India

Required for Entry

Yellow Fever (required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country)
Polio (proof of vaccination may be required for certain travelers)

CDC Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid (strongly recommended — typhoid fever is very common)
Japanese Encephalitis (rural travel, especially Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Kerala)
Rabies (strongly recommended for most travelers)
Meningococcal (for pilgrimage travel)

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — India

Malaria Risk

Present across much of India. Highest risk in the northeast, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. Lower risk in major urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, but urban dengue is very high.

Food and Water Safety

High Risk Tap water: not safe to drink

Delhi belly (traveler's diarrhea) affects a large proportion of visitors. Avoid raw salads, chaat with raw chutneys, unpeeled fruit, tap water, ice, and street food from unhygienic stalls. Freshly cooked hot food is safer. Always drink bottled or filtered water.

Key Health Tips for India

Typhoid vaccination is strongly recommended — India has a very high typhoid burden including drug-resistant strains.
Use DEET repellent and long clothing — dengue and malaria are present in urban and rural areas alike.
Air quality in Delhi and other northern cities can reach hazardous levels October through March; bring N95 masks.
Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is strongly recommended — India has the world's highest rabies death toll.

Disease Risks in India

Official Resources

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