vaccinations for travel to India

[grumpygirl]

I am travelling to India for a two week holiday. I have had all the NHS vaccinations. However the travel nurse suggested I also consider the jabs for rabies and Japanese encephalitis. I have spoken to a private travel clinic who have recommended rabies shots. However reading various studies the medications I am on are all said to reduce any protection. The private clinic said they were unaware of any evidence to show this. They also said that the encephalitis vaccination was only applicable if I were travelling to areas that were rural or marshy. Part of my trip is to Ranthampore national park for a few days of tiger safari. My rheumatology team have been completely silent on the subject. Has anyone here on immunosuppressants actually travelled to jaipur, Agra, Goa and Ranthampore and if so what did they do with regard to these two vaccines?

[Angelicscripts6]

You'll be fine ...having had the vaccinations needed ! Been to the places your going to ! Be mindful of eating drinking from street vendas Go to restaurants the locals use don't forget to tip & enjoy the experience!... drink lots of bottled water 💧

[Ryka]

Don't forget mosquito repellent! And don't be careless with it.

Chicken gunya (mosquito borne viral illness which attacks joints) on top of RA is the 4th circle of hell.

But excepth that: Have been to those places and know of RA afflicted people in those areas on immunesuppresants. Take the recommended vaccinations although it's the first I hear of rabies vax for the travel. Unless you go around petting street dogs/cows you should be fine. Dont eat from street vendors. Don't drink unbottled water. Don't eat raw vegetables. Be careful where you drink fresh fruit juice. Eat at the more expensive places of you can. Sanitize your hands and wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces.

Enjoy the sun 🌞

[lupus_01]

I was recommended the rabies jab and hep B vaccinations, both a two dose injection. I was told get hep B only because if you need any emergency dental work it will protect you. I was going to see elephants in the wild and nurse said get rabies shots in case of monkeys or stray dogs. If I was bitten I had one hour to get to a hospital to get treated. Since the roads are basic I didn't want to risk it and so got both jabs on top of the usual NHS jabs.

[HappykindaGal]

Japanese encephalitis is generally recommended for longer stays. Rabies is a series of vaccinations and recommended if it’s a significant journey from where you’ll be to a hospital. Post viral vaccines should you be bitten are expensive and unpleasant.

Standard is hep a, diphtheria and tetanus and a typhoid jab, Here’s the recommendation which is the info that travel nurses use, The private clinic is going to know far more than the NHS does as they have significant specialist training. ( my business makes appointments for several travel health clinics). Personally I’d have the rabies shots.

fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destina...

[SunshineSmiles1]

Lots of good advice here. However, I only got sick when I went to an Italian restaurant in Goa. I was fine eating like the locals, but I got bored of curry eventually and fancied a change - we all got so ill. It was a plush restaurant - so where people are saying that the more expensive restaurants are safer, I'd take that with a pinch of salt. Have fun!

[Becrosep]

I have just returned from a month long travel in India and had all the vaccines incl. rabies and Japanese encephalitis, just for peace of mind (I take methotrexate and Sulfasalazine) - I kept good hygiene, washing hands etc, and did not get sick once! Enjoy your travels x