A brief history
Improved sanitation, safer drinking water and antibiotics greatly reduced typhoid in many industrialised countries. It remains a public health problem where those protections are less reliable. Increasing antibiotic resistance has made some infections harder to treat.
How does it spread?
Salmonella Typhi bacteria spread through food or water contaminated by an infected person. Humans are the reservoir, and some people continue to carry and pass on bacteria after recovering. Vaccination does not replace careful food choices, safe drinking water and handwashing.
Symptoms and possible complications
Typhoid can cause a persistent high fever, headache, tiredness, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea. The bacteria can spread into the bloodstream and cause serious illness. Seek prompt medical advice for fever during or after travel and explain where you have been. Blood tests help establish the diagnosis and guide antibiotic treatment.
Where it may be relevant
- Travellers to places where typhoid is common, especially with prolonged or local food-and-water exposure
- People visiting friends and relatives
- Travellers staying where sanitation and access to safe water may be limited
Dose schedules
The clinician will select the appropriate licensed schedule after reviewing age, health, previous doses and departure date.
Injectable vaccine
Eligible adults and children
Give early enough to develop protection; a booster may be advised after three years if risk continues.
Who may be eligible
- Adults and children from the selected vaccine's licensed age with relevant travel risk
- People requiring a booster because exposure continues
Who may not be eligible
- Anyone with a confirmed severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or a vaccine ingredient
- People who are acutely unwell with a significant fever may need vaccination deferred
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, immune suppression and current medicines must be reviewed individually
Potential side effects
- Pain, redness or swelling where the injection is given
- Headache, tiredness, muscle aches or a mild fever
- Feeling faint around the time of vaccination
Important risks and precautions
- A severe allergic reaction is very rare and requires urgent treatment
- Protection is not absolute, so relevant food, water, bite or exposure precautions remain important
- The exact product and schedule must be confirmed during a clinical assessment
Clinical references