Immunizations, Vaccines, & Shots: Oh, My! (Traveling to India series)

Toy holding shot These injection recommendations are for adults travelling to India for only 3 weeks or less (in December 2011) and staying in mostly urban areas. Prices are listed for the CVS minute clinic and vaccines are separated into categories of: highly recommended, recommended, and probably not needed.

Warning: This blog should NOT substitute for seeing a health professional! See your doctor before travelling to India for advice specific to your needs and risk factors.

I've put price estimates for vaccine shots at the CVS Minute Clinic, but you can often get free or very cheap immunizations at your local department of health or, perhaps, at a travel clinic). I haven't done the research on children's immunization recommendations (although I understand that Rabies is recommended for children).

Highly Recommended

DISEASE	INJECTION NAME	COST (CVS)	to NOTES
Typhoid	Typhoid	$ Could not find price	Recommended for all travelers. See the "Know Before you Go" brochure & Immunize.org Information sheet
Hepatitis A	Hepatitis A	$117 X 2 = $234	Recommended for all travelers. Must get first dose AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE TRAVELLING. Requires 3 shots, the 2nd shot one (1) month after the first shot, the 3rd shot six (6) months after the 1st. Only the first 2 shots are necessary to be considered protected, but getting the 3rd shot means you don't have to get these shots ever again, as you are protected for life. Sometimes given as a combined shot (saves money) with Hepatitis B injection. See the Immunize.org Information sheet.

DISEASE

INJECTION NAME

COST (CVS)

to NOTES

Typhoid

$ Could not find price

Recommended for all travelers. See the "Know Before you Go" brochure & Immunize.org Information sheet

Hepatitis A

$117 X 2 = $234

Recommended for all travelers. Must get first dose AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE TRAVELLING.

Requires 3 shots, the 2nd shot one (1) month after the first shot, the 3rd shot six (6) months after the 1st. Only the first 2 shots are necessary to be considered protected, but getting the 3rd shot means you don't have to get these shots ever again, as you are protected for life. Sometimes given as a combined shot (saves money) with Hepatitis B injection. See the Immunize.org Information sheet.

DISEASE	INJECTION NAME	COST (CVS)	NOTES
Hepatitis B	Hepatitis B	$102 X 2 = $204	A good idea, in case one has to have medical care internationally. Must get first dose AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE TRAVELLING. Requires 3 shots, the 2nd shot one (1) month after the first shot, the 3rd shot six (6) months after the 1st. Only the first 2 shots are necessary to be considered protected, but getting the 3rd shot means you don't have to get these shots ever again, as you are protected for life. Sometimes given as a combined shot (saves money) with Hepatitis A injection. See the Immunize.org Information sheet.
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (whooping cough)	DTaP/Tdap	$82	Should be updated, if necessary, before departure (consult doctor). See the Immunize.org Information sheet.
Measles, Mumps & Rubella	MMR	$116	Should be updated, if necessary, before departure (consult doctor). See the Immunize.org Information sheet.
Chicken Pox	Varicella	$ Could not find price	Should be updated, if necessary, before departure (consult doctor). See the Immunize.org Information sheet.
Polio	IPV	$96	A one-time dose of IPV vaccine is recommended for any adult traveler who completed the primary childhood series but never received received an additional dose of polio vaccine as an adult. See the Immunize.org Information sheet.
Influenza	Flu (seasonal)	$30	Vaccination recommended for all travelers who have not received a flu shot in the previous 12 months. See the Immunize.org Information sheet.

Probably Not Needed

DISEASE/VACCINE
Yellow Fever
Meningitis
Rabies
Japanese Encephalitis