Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWho Needs OneTyphoid FeverHow Typhoid Vaccines WorkOptionsContraindicationsDosageFrequencySide EffectsInteractions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Who Needs One
Typhoid Fever
How Typhoid Vaccines Work
Options
Contraindications
Dosage
Frequency
Side Effects
Interactions
Typhoidvaccines prevent typhoid fever, a potentially fatal bacterial infection. While typhoid vaccination is not a routine immunization for people in the United States, it is recommended for anyone visiting parts of the world where typhoid is endemic (regularly occurring.)
There are two available typhoid vaccines: Typhim Vi and Vivotif. Both have mild side effects, which usually resolve on their own. Severe reactions following typhoid vaccination are rare.
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Typhoid vaccines are notroutine vaccinationsin the United States. They’re only recommended for:
Destinations of ConcernNo country requires a typhoid vaccine, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it for people traveling to areas where there is a known risk ofS. typhiexposure. This includes parts of:AfricaSouth Asia (especially Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan)East AsiaLatin AmericaIf you’re planning an international trip, visit the CDC’stravelers' health websiteto check the vaccination recommendations and travel advisories for your destination.
Destinations of Concern
No country requires a typhoid vaccine, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it for people traveling to areas where there is a known risk ofS. typhiexposure. This includes parts of:AfricaSouth Asia (especially Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan)East AsiaLatin AmericaIf you’re planning an international trip, visit the CDC’stravelers' health websiteto check the vaccination recommendations and travel advisories for your destination.
No country requires a typhoid vaccine, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it for people traveling to areas where there is a known risk ofS. typhiexposure. This includes parts of:
If you’re planning an international trip, visit the CDC’stravelers' health websiteto check the vaccination recommendations and travel advisories for your destination.
A fever is the most common sign of this infection. Other symptoms include:
Without treatment, the fever from a typhoid infection can last for weeks or months and lead to severe illness and even death.
Typhoid vaccines stimulate the production ofimmune cells called antibodies. These cells “recognize” the bacteria if it enters the bodyand prevent it from establishing an infection.
Typhoid vaccines are not 100% effective in protecting you from infection, so you still need to take standard precautions when visiting areas where typhoid fever is common. This includes avoiding untreated drinking water, avoiding raw fruits and vegetables, and frequently washing your hands.
Your healthcare provider will help you decide which typhoid vaccine is best for you and/or your child. There are two options available in the United States:
Requires one dose
Cannot be used in children under 2 years
Can be used in immunocompromised people
Must be given at least 2 weeks before travel
Revaccination needed every 2 years for those who remain at risk
VivotifYou take it on your ownRequires four doses over 7 daysCannot be used in children under 6 yearsCannot be used in immunocompromised peopleSeries must be completed at least 1 week before travelRevaccination needed every 5 years for those who remain at risk
You take it on your own
Requires four doses over 7 days
Cannot be used in children under 6 years
Cannot be used in immunocompromised people
Series must be completed at least 1 week before travel
Revaccination needed every 5 years for those who remain at risk
Who Should Not Get a Typhoid Vaccine?
Certain people may need to delay or avoid typhoid vaccines due to health risks. These include:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant to make a fully informed choice about typhoid vaccination. Neither animal nor human studies have been conducted to assess the safety of Typhim Vi or Vivotif during pregnancy. However, the benefits of the vaccines may outweigh the potential risks.
VaccineAgesScheduleTyphim Vi2 years and overA single 0.5-milliliter (mL) intramuscular injectionVivotif6 years and overOne capsule per day taken on alternate days (days 1, 3, 5, and 7)FrequencyTyphoid vaccines decrease in effectiveness over time. Periodic boosters are recommended for international travelers who frequent endemic regions. General recommendations are as follows:Typhim Vi:Vaccination every two to three yearsVivotif:Vaccination every five yearsHow Soon Before a Trip Should You Get Vaccinated?To ensure ample protection, an injected typhoid vaccine should be given at least two weeks before departure to an endemic region.If someone is using the oral vaccine, the series should be completed at least one week before travel.Side EffectsSide effects can occur with either typhoid vaccine, but they’re more common with Typhim Vi, affecting as many as one in six people.With both vaccines, side effects tend to be mild and resolve on their own without treatment.Severe reactions—including the potentially life-threatening allergy known as anaphylaxis—are rare with typhoid vaccines. A review of studies in theJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunologyreported no cases of anaphylaxis out of 164,483 doses of typhoid vaccine administered.The following are the most common side effects for each vaccine:Typhim ViInjection site tendernessInjection site painMalaise, a general feeling of discomfortHeadacheMyalgia (muscle pain)NauseaDiarrheaVivotifAbdominal painNauseaHeadacheFeverDiarrheaVomitingRashInteractionsCertain drugs and treatments can interact with Typhim Vi and Vivotif. These include the following:Biologic drugslike Humira (adalimumab) and Xeljanz (tofacitinib)Chemotherapy drugsCyclosporineHigh-dose corticosteroidsMethotrexateRadiation therapyVivotif can also interact with anti-malaria drugs like chloroquine and mefloquine, both of which can impair the effectiveness of the vaccine. The interaction appears to be mild, but inform your healthcare provider if you are taking or planning to take anti-malaria drugs before starting Vivotif.SummaryTyphoid vaccines significantly reduce a person’s risk of getting typhoid fever. This infection is common in some parts of the world—including areas in South Asia, East Asia, Africa, and Latin America—and it can be fatal.If you’re planning a trip to an area with high levels of typhoid fever, talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination. There are two options available in the U.S.: an injectable and an oral medication. Each has only minor side effects, such as headache and nausea.
Typhoid vaccines decrease in effectiveness over time. Periodic boosters are recommended for international travelers who frequent endemic regions. General recommendations are as follows:
How Soon Before a Trip Should You Get Vaccinated?To ensure ample protection, an injected typhoid vaccine should be given at least two weeks before departure to an endemic region.If someone is using the oral vaccine, the series should be completed at least one week before travel.
How Soon Before a Trip Should You Get Vaccinated?
To ensure ample protection, an injected typhoid vaccine should be given at least two weeks before departure to an endemic region.If someone is using the oral vaccine, the series should be completed at least one week before travel.
Side effects can occur with either typhoid vaccine, but they’re more common with Typhim Vi, affecting as many as one in six people.With both vaccines, side effects tend to be mild and resolve on their own without treatment.
Severe reactions—including the potentially life-threatening allergy known as anaphylaxis—are rare with typhoid vaccines. A review of studies in theJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunologyreported no cases of anaphylaxis out of 164,483 doses of typhoid vaccine administered.
The following are the most common side effects for each vaccine:
Typhim ViInjection site tendernessInjection site painMalaise, a general feeling of discomfortHeadacheMyalgia (muscle pain)NauseaDiarrheaVivotifAbdominal painNauseaHeadacheFeverDiarrheaVomitingRash
Typhim ViInjection site tendernessInjection site painMalaise, a general feeling of discomfortHeadacheMyalgia (muscle pain)NauseaDiarrhea
Injection site tenderness
Injection site pain
Malaise, a general feeling of discomfort
Headache
Myalgia (muscle pain)
Nausea
Diarrhea
VivotifAbdominal painNauseaHeadacheFeverDiarrheaVomitingRash
Abdominal pain
Fever
Vomiting
Rash
Certain drugs and treatments can interact with Typhim Vi and Vivotif. These include the following:
Vivotif can also interact with anti-malaria drugs like chloroquine and mefloquine, both of which can impair the effectiveness of the vaccine. The interaction appears to be mild, but inform your healthcare provider if you are taking or planning to take anti-malaria drugs before starting Vivotif.
Summary
Typhoid vaccines significantly reduce a person’s risk of getting typhoid fever. This infection is common in some parts of the world—including areas in South Asia, East Asia, Africa, and Latin America—and it can be fatal.
If you’re planning a trip to an area with high levels of typhoid fever, talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination. There are two options available in the U.S.: an injectable and an oral medication. Each has only minor side effects, such as headache and nausea.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jackson B, Iqbal S, Mahon B, et al.Updated recommendations for the use of typhoid vaccine – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2015.MMWR Morb Mortal Week Rep.2015;64(11)305-8.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing Typhoid Fever and Paratyphoid Fever.World Health Organization.Typhoid.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Typhoid Fever and Parathyphoid Fever.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever: vaccination.Sanofi Pasteur.Package insert - Typhim Vi.Crucell Switzerland Ltd.Package insert - Vivotif.McNeil MM, DeStefano F.Vaccine-associated hypersensitivity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2018 Feb;141(2):463-72. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.971Van Camp RO, Shorman M.Typhoid vaccine. In: StatPearls [Internet].
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jackson B, Iqbal S, Mahon B, et al.Updated recommendations for the use of typhoid vaccine – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2015.MMWR Morb Mortal Week Rep.2015;64(11)305-8.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing Typhoid Fever and Paratyphoid Fever.World Health Organization.Typhoid.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Typhoid Fever and Parathyphoid Fever.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever: vaccination.Sanofi Pasteur.Package insert - Typhim Vi.Crucell Switzerland Ltd.Package insert - Vivotif.McNeil MM, DeStefano F.Vaccine-associated hypersensitivity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2018 Feb;141(2):463-72. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.971Van Camp RO, Shorman M.Typhoid vaccine. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jackson B, Iqbal S, Mahon B, et al.Updated recommendations for the use of typhoid vaccine – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2015.MMWR Morb Mortal Week Rep.2015;64(11)305-8.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing Typhoid Fever and Paratyphoid Fever.World Health Organization.Typhoid.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Typhoid Fever and Parathyphoid Fever.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever: vaccination.Sanofi Pasteur.Package insert - Typhim Vi.Crucell Switzerland Ltd.Package insert - Vivotif.McNeil MM, DeStefano F.Vaccine-associated hypersensitivity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2018 Feb;141(2):463-72. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.971Van Camp RO, Shorman M.Typhoid vaccine. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Jackson B, Iqbal S, Mahon B, et al.Updated recommendations for the use of typhoid vaccine – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2015.MMWR Morb Mortal Week Rep.2015;64(11)305-8.
Centers for Disease Control.Preventing Typhoid Fever and Paratyphoid Fever.
World Health Organization.Typhoid.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Typhoid Fever and Parathyphoid Fever.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever: vaccination.
Sanofi Pasteur.Package insert - Typhim Vi.
Crucell Switzerland Ltd.Package insert - Vivotif.
McNeil MM, DeStefano F.Vaccine-associated hypersensitivity.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2018 Feb;141(2):463-72. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.971
Van Camp RO, Shorman M.Typhoid vaccine. In: StatPearls [Internet].
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