Typhoid (typhoid fever) is a serious disease. It is caused by bacteria called
Salmonella typhi. Generally, people get typhoid from consumption of contaminated food or drink. Some people who get typhoid become “carriers,” who can spread the disease to others.
What are typhoid symptoms?
High fever, fatigue, weakness, stomach pains, headache, diarrhea or constipation, cough, loss of appetite, and sometimes a rash. As many as 30% of people who do not get treatment die from complications of typhoid fever.
Who should get typhoid vaccine and when?
- Travelers to parts of the world where typhoid is common, including Southern Asia (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh), Africa and South America.
- People in close contact with a typhoid carrier
- Laboratory workers who work with Salmonella typhi bacteria.
NOTE: Typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective and is not a substitute for being careful about what you eat or drink.
Types of typhoid vaccine?
There are 2 types of typhoid vaccine which are described in the following table.
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Types of vaccine
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Inactivated typhoid vaccine (Shot)
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Live typhoid vaccine (Oral)
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Age
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2 years of age and older
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6 years of age and older
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Dose
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- One dose intramuscular injection at least 2 weeks before travel.
- Booster every 2 years for people who remain at risk.
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- Four doses: One capsule on alternate days (day 1, 3, 5, and 7).
- The last dose should be given at least 1 week before travel.
- Each capsule should be swallowed whole (not chewed) about an hour before meals with cold or lukewarm water.
- Booster every 5 years for people who remain at risk.
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Person who should not get typhoid vaccine or should wait
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- Anyone who has a severe allergy to any component of this vaccine.
- Anyone who is moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should wait until they recover.
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- Anyone who has a severe allergy to any component of this vaccine.
- Anyone whose immune system is weakened including HIV/AIDS or cancer patient.
- Anyone who being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids for 2 weeks or longer.
- Anyone who is moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should wait until they recover.
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Possible
side effect
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- Tenderness at injection site (97-98%)
- Headache (16-20%).
- Fever (2-32%).
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- Headache (5%).
- Fever (3%).
- Skin rash (1%)
- Stomach pain, nausea (6%)
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NOTE: Serious problems from typhoid vaccine are very rare. However, if you have any signs of a serious reaction including very high fever or severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, please contact the nearest hospital.
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Missed Dose
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If you do not remember the missed dose until the next day, take the missed dose at that time and reschedule your every-other-day doses from then. If you miss more than one dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
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Drug interaction
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The oral typhoid vaccine should not be given until at least 3 days after taking antibiotics.
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References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typhoid Vaccines: What You Need to Know. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/typhoid.html [Accessed 27 December 2021].
- UpToDate® [database on the Internet]. Wolters Kluwer. 2021. Available from: http://www.uptodate.com [Accessed 27 December 2021].
For more information please contact:
- Vaccination Center
07.00-16.00 (BKK Time)
Tel: 02 011 3193
Contact center 02 066 8888 or 1378
Last modify: March 18, 2025