Commonly recommended vaccines
These are general recommendations. Your pharmacist will advise based on your specific itinerary and medical history.
For full guidance including malaria risk areas and health alerts, visit TravelHealthPro.
Health risks in India
India is one of the most popular destinations for travellers from Kent — whether you're visiting the Taj Mahal, exploring Goa's beaches, or, for many in the Medway area, returning to see family. A common and dangerous misconception is that if you were born in India or grew up there, you don't need vaccinations. This is not true. Immunity built up in childhood can fade over decades, and as a UK resident your immune system is no longer regularly exposed to pathogens common in India. Hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, and malaria prevention are all recommended depending on your itinerary. Don't leave it to chance — Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Gillingham, Kent is open seven days a week until 10pm with same-day appointments available.
- Hepatitis A and typhoid spread through contaminated food and water — higher risk when eating at local homes or street stalls
- Malaria is present in several states; risk varies significantly by region and season
- Rabies is widespread in domestic and stray animals; dog bites are a leading cause of post-exposure treatment in travellers
- Dengue and chikungunya are transmitted by daytime-biting mosquitoes in urban and rural areas
- Travellers' diarrhoea is very common; food and water hygiene precautions are essential throughout the trip
Do I need malaria tablets for India?
Malaria risk varies considerably across India. Higher-risk states include Assam and Odisha, and specific districts in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where antimalarials (atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine) are recommended. The rest of India — including Goa and major cities — carries a low but real risk where bite avoidance is the primary recommendation, though antimalarials may be considered for higher-risk travellers such as VFR travellers, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Malaria risk varies significantly by region within India. A pharmacist assessment is essential before travel.
Typically recommended: Antimalarial tablets are available from Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic from £2.50 per tablet. Your pharmacist will assess your specific itinerary and health history to recommend the most suitable option.
Our pharmacists at Medway Pharmacy, 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5LJ provide personalised travel health advice for India and all destinations. We serve Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Rainham, and the wider Kent area. Open 7 days a week, 7:30am–10pm — same-day appointments available, no GP referral needed.
Frequently asked questions about travel to India
Where can I get travel vaccinations for India in Kent?
Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic at 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5LJ offers a full range of India travel vaccinations including hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, and malaria tablets. No GP referral is needed and same-day appointments are available. We're open seven days a week from 7:30am to 10pm.
How much do travel vaccinations for India cost?
At Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic, travel vaccinations for India start from £55 for hepatitis A and £55 for typhoid. Malaria prevention tablets are available from £2.50 per tablet. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is available from £85 per dose. We're open until 10pm daily so you can book around work.
Do I need travel vaccinations for India if I was born there?
Yes — and this is one of the most important messages for VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travellers. Immunity from childhood exposure or vaccinations given decades ago can wane significantly. As a UK resident, your immune system is no longer regularly exposed to diseases like typhoid and hepatitis A that circulate in India. Studies consistently show VFR travellers to South Asia have higher rates of typhoid, hepatitis A, and malaria than other tourist travellers. Please book a travel health consultation at Medway Pharmacy in Gillingham even if you've visited many times before.
How quickly can I get vaccinated before travelling to India?
Ideally 4–6 weeks before departure, but don't delay if your trip is sooner. Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic offers same-day appointments and is open until 10pm every day of the week. Even a single hepatitis A dose gives immediate protection, and typhoid vaccine takes effect within about two weeks.
Is malaria a risk in Goa and major Indian cities?
Most major cities and popular tourist areas like Goa fall in the 'low risk' malaria zone, where bite avoidance is the primary advice. However, low risk does not mean no risk — and travellers visiting rural areas, staying for extended periods, or visiting higher-risk states like Assam may need antimalarial tablets. Our pharmacist will assess your specific itinerary.
Do I need a rabies vaccine for India?
Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is strongly considered for travellers to India, particularly those going off the beaten track, travelling with children, staying long-term, or visiting rural areas where medical facilities are limited. India has one of the world's highest rates of rabies in animals. Pre-vaccination means that if you are bitten, post-exposure treatment is simpler and more widely available.
Ready to get protected?
Book a travel health appointment at Medway Pharmacy. Same-day slots available, open until 10pm.
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