Typhoid Vaccine

Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. It spreads through contaminated food and water and is most common in countries with limited access to clean water and adequate sanitation. It is a different infection from paratyphoid fever, which is caused by Salmonella Paratyphi. Paratyphoid is usually milder but causes similar symptoms and is not covered by the standard typhoid vaccines.

Three options are available. The injectable Vi polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi) is a single injection and the most straightforward option for most travellers. The oral vaccine (Vivotif) involves three capsules on alternate days and is an alternative for those who prefer not to have an injection. A combined injectable vaccine (Hepatyrix or Viatim) covers both typhoid and hepatitis A in a single dose, which is convenient for those needing both. Your clinician will advise on the right choice at your pre-vaccination appointment.

The injectable vaccine provides approximately 55 to 72 per cent protection against typhoid fever. The oral vaccine has broadly similar efficacy. Neither vaccine is 100 per cent effective. Food and water hygiene precautions remain important throughout your trip: drink bottled or treated water, avoid ice of unknown origin, eat only fully cooked food and peel fruit yourself. Vaccination and hygiene together offer better protection than either alone.

No. The standard typhoid vaccines, whether injectable or oral, do not provide protection against Salmonella Paratyphi, the bacterium that causes paratyphoid fever. Paratyphoid is generally milder than typhoid but causes similar symptoms. There is currently no licensed vaccine targeting paratyphoid specifically in the UK. Food and water hygiene precautions remain the primary defence against paratyphoid.

For the injectable vaccine, soreness, redness or mild swelling at the injection site is the most common reaction. A mild fever, headache or fatigue in the day or two after vaccination is reported by some patients. For the oral vaccine, mild gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea and abdominal discomfort are occasionally reported. Serious reactions are uncommon for both forms. Your clinician will advise on what to expect.

Yes. VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travellers consistently face higher typhoid exposure than tourists. They are more likely to eat home-cooked food prepared with local tap water, drink unfiltered water, eat street food and spend extended time in endemic communities. They are also less likely to seek travel health advice before departure. If you are visiting family abroad in an endemic country, vaccination is strongly recommended regardless of how familiar the destination feels.

The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is licensed for children from two years of age. The oral vaccine (Vivotif) is licensed from six years. Younger children travelling to at-risk destinations may benefit from a conjugate typhoid vaccine, which can be given from six months of age. Please let us know when booking that you are bringing a child so we can confirm the appropriate vaccine and dose.

Typhoid is most common across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It is also present across much of Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The risk is highest in areas with poor sanitation and unreliable water infrastructure. Travellers to any destination where these conditions exist should consider vaccination, regardless of whether they plan to stay in hotels or eat in restaurants.

Most GP practices in the UK no longer provide travel vaccines, including typhoid. Some NHS travel clinics retain this service, but access varies significantly and appointments are not always available before departure. Private vaccination is the practical route for the majority of UK travellers.

For the injectable vaccine, a single dose is given and immunity develops within two to four weeks, so vaccination at least two weeks before departure is recommended. For the oral vaccine, the three-capsule course takes five days to complete and full immunity develops around two weeks after the final capsule. Vaccination well in advance of departure allows the best possible protection before arrival.

Yes, and this is the most efficient option for many travellers. Hepatyrix and Viatim are licensed combined vaccines that deliver protection against both typhoid and hepatitis A in a single injection. For those travelling to the Indian subcontinent, where both vaccines are recommended, this reduces the number of injections needed. Alternatively, both can be given as separate vaccines at the same appointment.

The injectable vaccine provides protection for approximately three years. The oral vaccine provides protection for three years in high-endemic settings, and up to seven years in lower-risk areas. A booster is recommended every three years for those who continue to travel to at-risk destinations.

Yes. The typhoid vaccines are not 100 per cent effective, and vaccination does not guarantee protection. Food and water hygiene precautions should be followed throughout your trip even if you have been vaccinated. If you develop a high fever during or after travel to an endemic area, seek medical attention promptly.