What Travel Vaccines Do You Need For Visiting South Asia?

There are many countries in the world to which you can travel without the need for travel vaccinations, but you should always check before you go.

Among the regions that you should plan and prepare for carefully is south Asia. Including countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, it is a part of the world many people living in the UK have family and heritage connections to, while others may be keen to visit for various reasons.

For example, cricket fans may travel to watch the England men’s team play in the Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February and March. Next winter, England will tour Bangladesh. Others may travel to world-famous sites like the Taj Mahal or enjoy the beaches of Goa and Sri Lanka’s south coast.

How Soon Should You Be Vaccinated Before Travelling?

Each country has its own specific requirements and there are also variations between areas, not least between urban centres and more rural districts. When you have decided where you are going, you can get your appropriate vaccinations, which need to be taken weeks before departure, so that your immune system is primed.

In the case of Pakistan, the MMR and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccines should be up-to-date.  Proof of polio vaccine is required when spending four weeks or longer in the country. Yellow fever certification is also required, although there is no present threat from this disease.

Hepatitis A vaccination is also recommended, as this is a disease transmitted through poor sanitation. Once you have had this vaccine, protection is lifelong.

Those travelling to some rural areas may require vaccinations against mosquito-borne diseases such as:

·       Chikungunya

·       Dengue fever

·       Japanese Encephalitis.

This requirement may depend on how long you are staying in the region and personal risk factors, such as having had Dengue Fever in the past.

What Jabs Do You Need Before Visiting India?

Requirements in India are similar as it is an adjacent country with similar climatic conditions, although these do vary from the hot south to the cooler, elevated north in the Himalayan foothills. The country has the same yellow fever certification requirements as Pakistan, although, once again, the disease is not present in the country.

Recent reports in India have revealed outbreaks of Zika and Dengue fever. Vaccination against Zika is particularly important if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Tuberculosis is also a significant issue in India, which means those at risk of severe disease should get the BCG vaccination.

Sri Lanka lies in the tropics, and the same recommendations (tetanus, dengue, Japanese encephalitis and tuberculosis) apply as in India. Like its neighbours, Sri Lanka is free from yellow fever but has a vaccine certification requirement.

How Should You Deal With The Threat Of Malaria?

There is no vaccine for malaria, but it is important to have antimalarials in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Bangladesh, as well as taking precautions to prevent insect bites, such as wearing long, light clothing at night. However, Sri Lanka has been malaria-free for a decade.

Rabies is also present across the region, but prior vaccination is not recommended except for those likely to have a lot of close contact with animals, such as anyone working as a vet. Anyone who is bitten or scratched should, however, get a course of injections to fight the virus as quickly as possible, to prevent any infection taking hold.

Millions travel to south Asia safely every year. Provided you get the jabs you need, you can be among them.