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Overview: The typhoid vaccine is used to prevent typhoid fever. There are two types of typhoid vaccine. The live typhoid vaccine is available as a capsule that is swallowed and works by stimulating the body's immune system to build protection against the bacteria. The inactivated typhoid vaccine is injected into a muscle by a health care provider, and it works by triggering the body's immune response to produce antibodies that help protect against typhoid fever. Common side effects include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Uses

What is the typhoid vaccine used for?

The typhoid vaccine is commonly used to prevent typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is a serious illness caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria. It causes symptoms such as fever, weakness, and diarrhea and can be serious and life-threatening without treatment. Typhoid fever is spread through contaminated food or water. Typhoid fever is not common in the United States but is more common in certain areas, such as South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Caribbean. 

How does the typhoid vaccine work (mechanism of action)?

There are two types of typhoid vaccines. 

  • Live typhoid vaccine (oral capsule): Contains a weakened form of Salmonella Typhi, the bacteria that cause typhoid fever. It works by stimulating the body's immune system to build protection against the bacteria.
  • Inactivated typhoid vaccine (injection): Contains an inactivated form of Salmonella Typhi bacteria. It works by triggering the body's immune response to produce antibodies that help protect against typhoid fever.

How should I store the typhoid vaccine?

Oral Capsule. The typhoid vaccine should be stored in a refrigerator at all times, between 35.6 F to 46.4 F (2 C to 8 C). Return it to the refrigerator between your alternate-day doses.

Injection Liquid. The typhoid vaccine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of the typhoid vaccine?

The most common side effects of the typhoid vaccine are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the typhoid vaccine product. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache 
  • Fever 
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (oral capsule)
  • Stomach pain (oral capsule)
  • Pain, redness, and swelling near the injection site (injection liquid)
  • General feeling of being unwell, tired, or not having your usual energy (injection liquid)

There may be other side effects of the typhoid vaccine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of the typhoid vaccine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of the typhoid vaccine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. The typhoid vaccine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not get the typhoid vaccine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not receive the typhoid vaccine.

  • Typhoid polysaccharide vaccine
  • Typhoid vaccine live oral
  • Ty21a
  • Vi capsular polysaccharide (inactivated typhoid) vaccine
  • ViCPS
  • Typhim Vi
  • Vivotif
  • Vivotif Berna
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product received

Your pharmacist or other health care provider can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific typhoid vaccine products they stock.

Illness With Fever. Live typhoid vaccine (oral capsule) should not be used if you are sick with a fever.

Immune System Problems. Live typhoid vaccine (oral capsule) should not be used if you have a weak immune system, get infections easily, or take medicines or treatments that suppress the immune system (such as radiation or chemotherapy).

What should I know about the typhoid vaccine before getting it?

The risk of dizziness or fainting, which may lead to a fall, is the highest within a few minutes after receiving inactivated typhoid vaccine. Your health care provider may want to watch you for this time to ensure safety.

The typhoid vaccine is not recommended as a routine vaccine. Certain people who are at risk will need the vaccine, such as people traveling to areas where typhoid fever is present, people in close contact with someone carrying Salmonella Typhi bacteria, and people who work in a lab with Salmonella Typhi bacteria. 

The typhoid vaccine will not fully protect everyone who gets it and does not replace taking proper precautions to avoid exposure to contaminated food or water. 

There are two types of the vaccine. If you are at risk for exposure to typhoid fever, you can ask your health care provider which vaccine is better for you.

If you are taking the live typhoid vaccine (oral capsule), swallow the capsule whole as soon as possible after placing it in your mouth. Do not chew the capsule. Take it about one hour before a meal, with a drink that is cold or lukewarm. The temperature of your drink should not be more than 98.6 F (37 C). For the most protection against typhoid fever, it is important to follow the dosing schedule, which is one capsule every other day for four doses. You should finish the last dose at least one week before potential exposure to typhoid fever. Check with your health care provider for recommendations on when to take the vaccine. The live typhoid vaccine is expected to be effective for at least five years. If you are at risk of exposure to typhoid fever after five years, your health care provider may recommend taking the four-dose vaccine again.

People receiving the inactivated typhoid vaccine injection should be vaccinated at least two weeks before potential exposure to typhoid fever. Check with your health care provider for recommendations on when to receive the vaccine. If you are at risk of exposure to typhoid fever after two years, your health care provider may recommend getting the vaccine again.

What should I tell my health care provider before getting the typhoid vaccine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if the typhoid vaccine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Fever or recent illness, including stomach-related illness with vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • A reaction to a previous vaccine, including fainting
  • A weak immune system, get infections easily, or take medicines or treatments that suppress the immune system (such as radiation or chemotherapy)
  • Typhoid fever or chronic typhoid carrier
  • Currently taking an antibiotic, including a sulfa drug such as sulfadiazine silver, sulfamethoxazole, or sulfasalazine

Other Medicines and Supplements. The typhoid vaccine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before getting the typhoid vaccine, tell the health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how the typhoid vaccine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will advise you if you should get the typhoid vaccine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if the typhoid vaccine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should get the typhoid vaccine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does the typhoid vaccine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between the typhoid vaccine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect the typhoid vaccine.

Does the typhoid vaccine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about all recent and upcoming vaccines plus any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking proguanil, which is one of the active ingredients in Malarone and Malarone Pediatric, a drug used to prevent or treat malaria.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with the typhoid vaccine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally get too much of the typhoid vaccine?

If you or someone else gets too much of the typhoid vaccine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of the typhoid vaccine?

Oral Capsule: Missing doses can cause this vaccine to not fully protect you. So it is important not to miss or skip doses. If you miss a dose, contact your health care provider for instructions. You must complete the four-dose series at least one week before potential exposure to typhoid fever.

Injection Liquid: If you miss an appointment to get your typhoid vaccine, call to make another appointment as soon as possible. Check with your health care provider to make sure you receive the vaccine at least two weeks before potential exposure to typhoid fever.