Christmas Travel Vaccinations: Visiting Family in India, Pakistan and Africa

Visiting family abroad this Christmas? Trips to see friends and relatives in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Africa are some of the busiest of the year, and people visiting family are statistically more likely to pick up typhoid, hepatitis A and malaria than holidaymakers. Book a pre-travel consultation 4 to 6 weeks before you fly so there is time to complete any vaccine courses, but an appointment is still worthwhile even if you are leaving sooner.

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Why Family Visits Carry Extra Risk

When you stay with family you are more likely to eat home-cooked and street food, drink local water, travel to rural areas, stay for several weeks and have close contact with animals. Many people who grew up in a malaria area believe they are still immune, but that partial immunity fades within a few years of living in the UK, and UK-born children have none at all. UK health data shows that most imported typhoid cases are in people visiting friends and relatives.

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Commonly reviewed vaccines include Hepatitis A and Typhoid, with Hepatitis B, Rabies and Japanese encephalitis considered for longer or rural stays. Make sure routine UK vaccines, including MMR and tetanus, are up to date.

Pakistan: an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid has been ongoing since 2016, so an in-date typhoid vaccine is especially important. If you stay 4 weeks or more you may be asked for proof of polio vaccination, given 4 weeks to 12 months before you leave Pakistan and recorded on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).
India and Bangladesh: malaria risk varies by region and season, from low in many cities to higher in some rural and forested areas. Dengue is common in South Asia, so mosquito bite prevention matters day and night.

See our country pages for India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Nigeria, Ghana and Other African Countries

Much of West, Central and East Africa has a high risk of malaria, and antimalarial tablets are usually recommended. Tablets should be bought from a reputable UK source, started before travel and continued for the full course after you return.

Several countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, require a yellow fever certificate for entry, and the vaccine is recommended for many others such as the Gambia, Kenya and Uganda. Berkeley Travel Clinic is an accredited Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre (centre no. UKYFVC9726), so we can give the vaccine and issue your certificate. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. Nigeria also has polio circulating, so stays of 4 weeks or more may need proof of a recent polio dose on departure.

Travelling with Children

Children are more likely to become seriously unwell with malaria, are more likely to be bitten or scratched by dogs and cats, and may not tell you about it. Some vaccines, including yellow fever and typhoid, have minimum ages. Bring your children’s red book or vaccination record to the appointment so we can check what they need.

When to Book

Ideally 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Pre-Christmas appointments fill up quickly, and some vaccines (such as hepatitis B and rabies) need several doses, so book as early as you can. If you are flying in the next few days, an appointment can still help with malaria tablets, single-dose vaccines and advice.

Travelling with a heart condition?

If you’ve had a heart attack, stent, heart surgery, a pacemaker or ICD, or have heart failure or AF, check you’re fit to fly before you travel. Your airline or travel insurer may ask for a fit-to-fly letter. Our partner service, Heart Fit to Fly, provides letters from a consultant cardiologist, online and UK-wide.

Get a fit-to-fly letter

Frequently Asked Questions

I grew up in Nigeria (or Ghana, India, Pakistan). Do I still need malaria tablets?

Usually, yes, for high-risk areas. Partial immunity from childhood fades after a few years away, and previous malaria does not give lasting protection. We will advise based on where you are staying.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Nigeria or Ghana?

Yes, both currently require a certificate for travellers aged 9 months and over. We are an accredited Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre and can issue it at your appointment.

I had a typhoid vaccine a few years ago. Is it still valid?

The injectable typhoid vaccine usually lasts about 3 years. Bring your records and we will check whether you need a booster.

Can the whole family be seen together?

Yes. Let us know how many people are travelling when you book so we can allow enough time.

Sources and Further Reading

Clinically reviewed by Dr Aftab Gill, Berkeley Travel Clinic. Last reviewed: 15 October 2026. This information is general guidance and does not replace individual clinical assessment; book a travel health consultation for personalised advice.