Are There Mandatory Vaccines for India?

If you’re booking a trip and wondering which jabs are compulsory, here’s the direct answer first. As of June 2026, there are no mandatory vaccines for India for UK travellers flying straight from the UK. India does not require proof of any vaccination for standard tourist entry. The single exception is yellow fever, and only in a specific situation we explain below. That said, “not mandatory” is not the same as “not needed”, and several vaccines are strongly recommended. For the full picture, our complete guide to travel vaccines for India covers every option by destination.

The one rule: yellow fever certificates

India’s only vaccination entry requirement concerns yellow fever, and it does not apply to most UK travellers. If you arrive in India having recently been in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, much of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America, Indian immigration can ask for a valid yellow fever certificate at the border. This is to stop the disease being imported, not because yellow fever exists in India. It does not.

So if you fly directly from the UK to India, you do not need a yellow fever certificate. If your trip routes through or follows time in a yellow-fever country, you may. We are a NATHNAC-registered Yellow Fever Centre, so if a certificate applies to your journey we can provide the vaccine and the certificate in one appointment. If you are unsure whether your itinerary triggers the rule, check it with us before you travel.

Not mandatory, but strongly recommended

This is where the useful conversation sits. The vaccines that matter for India are advised on health grounds rather than required for entry, and for most travellers three form the foundation: hepatitis A, typhoid, and a diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) booster. All three guard against risks that are genuinely present across India, mostly through food, water and minor injuries.

Depending on where you are going and what you are doing, rabies, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis are worth serious consideration too. Rabies in particular deserves attention for India, given the country records around 20,000 human rabies deaths a year. Our full India travel vaccines guide sets out exactly who needs what, by trip type.

What the recommended vaccines cost

Because none of these are compulsory, cost is usually the deciding factor, so here is the honest picture. The three core vaccines, hepatitis A (£45), typhoid (£30) and the DTP booster (£30), come to £105 in total, with the consultation included. Adding the rabies course brings it to £285, and a fuller package with hepatitis B for a longer family stay is £405. There is no separate consultation fee at our clinic.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I legally need any vaccines to enter India from the UK?

No. As of June 2026 there are no compulsory vaccines for UK travellers entering India directly. The only entry requirement is a yellow fever certificate, and only if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk. Always re-check entry rules close to travel, as they can change.

Is the yellow fever certificate needed if I fly direct from London?

No. Flying directly from the UK, you do not need a yellow fever certificate for India. It only applies if your journey includes time in a yellow fever risk country beforehand. If you are routing through Africa or South America, check with us first.

If nothing is mandatory, which vaccines should I actually get?

For most travellers, hepatitis A, typhoid and a DTP booster are the strongly recommended core, with rabies, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis added depending on your itinerary. Our detailed India vaccine recommendations break this down by trip type.

Are vaccines mandatory for children travelling to India?

No vaccines are legally mandatory for children either, but the same recommended list applies, with dosing adjusted for age. Rabies is especially worth discussing for children, who are more likely to approach animals. Sachin confirms paediatric dosing at the appointment.

How much will the recommended vaccines cost?

The three core vaccines come to £105 in total, consultation included. Adding rabies takes it to £285, and a fuller package with hepatitis B is £405. We only recommend what is relevant to your trip.

Do I need a certificate of vaccination to show on arrival?

Only the yellow fever certificate, and only if it applies to your route. For all other vaccines, no proof is requested at the Indian border, though we always give you a full record to keep with your travel documents.

The simplest way to be sure is a short pre-travel consultation. Bring your itinerary and we will tell you what is required, what is strongly recommended, and what you can safely skip. For the complete destination breakdown, start with our India travel vaccines guide.