Vaccination Guide for Indian Interns

Good news: Indian students already have several vaccinations from childhood that count internationally. Here is what you have, what you might need, and where to get it in India.

What Indian Students Already Have

Indias National Immunisation Schedule covers several vaccines that are either required or recommended for travel abroad:

Additional Vaccines to Consider by Destination

Southeast Asia (Bali, Bangkok, Singapore)

• Typhoid: Recommended for Southeast Asia stays — oral or injectable. Available in India at any travel clinic. Rs. 1,000–2,500.
• Hepatitis A: Common recommendation for food and water safety. Two-dose course. Rs. 2,000–4,000 per dose.
• Japanese Encephalitis: For rural areas or stays >1 month in rural Southeast Asia. Less relevant for city internships.
• Dengue: No vaccine widely available in India yet — use mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves at dawn/dusk.

Europe and UK

• Meningococcal ACWY: Required for UK student visa health requirements for some universities. Strongly recommended for shared student accommodation. Rs. 3,000–5,000.
• Influenza: Flu season is October–March in Europe. Recommended for longer stays. Available at most pharmacies in India. Rs. 700–1,200.
• MMR booster: Some EU countries require proof of two MMR doses for residency registration. Check your vaccination card — if you only have one childhood dose, get a booster before leaving.

Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)

• Meningococcal (ACWY): Required for pilgrimage; recommended for general UAE stays, especially during Hajj season
• Influenza: Recommended due to air-conditioned environments and international crowd
• No yellow fever required unless you are arriving from a country on the WHOs yellow fever risk list

Africa (Cape Town, Nairobi, Accra)

• Yellow Fever: REQUIRED for entry to several African countries (Kenya, Ghana). Must be administered at least 10 days before travel. Vaccination certificate (Yellow Card) required at immigration. Rs. 800–1,500 at government hospitals.
• Typhoid: Essential for all African destinations
• Hepatitis A: Essential
• Malaria Prophylaxis: Required for sub-Saharan Africa. Not a vaccine — daily tablets (doxycycline) or weekly tablets (Malarone/Lariam). Prescription needed. Start before travel. Rs. 1,500–6,000 for 3-month supply.
• Rabies pre-exposure: Consider if you will spend time outdoors or with animals. 3-dose course over 3 weeks. Rs. 8,000–15,000.

Latin America (São Paulo, Mexico City, Costa Rica)

• Yellow Fever: Required for some Brazilian states and parts of Costa Rica
• Typhoid + Hepatitis A: Recommended for all Latin American destinations
• Malaria Prophylaxis: Rural areas only — city internships in São Paulo and Mexico City are low-risk

Where to Get Travel Vaccines in India

• Government hospitals (Yellow Fever specifically): Yellow fever vaccines are ONLY available at government-designated centres. AIIMS, Safdarjung (Delhi), KEM (Mumbai), CMC (Vellore). Book early — slots fill up months in advance.
• Travel health clinics: Private clinics in major cities offer comprehensive travel vaccination consultations. Apollo, Fortis, Max hospitals have travel medicine departments.
• Regular vaccination: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, MMR, influenza available at most private clinics and pharmacies in India.

Vaccination Timeline

Some vaccines require multiple doses spaced weeks apart. Plan ahead:

• Hepatitis A: 2 doses — second dose 6 months after first. Only first dose needed before travel; second on return for long-term protection.
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses over 6 months — if you didnt get it in childhood (check your records)
• Rabies pre-exposure: 3 doses over 21 days minimum
• Yellow Fever: Single dose, valid for life. Must be given at least 10 days before travel.
• Everything else: Can be given 2–4 weeks before departure