Vaccination is recommended if you are travelling to parts of the world where typhoid fever is present, particularly if you are planning to work or live with local people.
High-risk areas
Typhoid is found throughout the world, but is more likely to occur in areas where there is poor sanitation and hygiene. In particular, risk areas include:
- Africa
- Central America
- the Indian subcontinent
- the Middle East
- South America
- south and southeast Asia
In particular, typhoid vaccination is recommended for people who will:
- be staying with or visiting local people
- have frequent or prolonged exposure to conditions where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor
In England, most people who get typhoid fever have visited India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Therefore, it is particularly important that you are vaccinated if you are visiting these countries.
Some GP surgeries vaccinate against typhoid fever free of charge on the NHS, so it's worth checking with your GP first.
Alternatively, vaccinations are available from private travel clinics for around £25.
Choosing a vaccine
Two vaccines are available for typhoid fever in the UK:
- VI vaccine – this is thought to be 75% effective against typhoid fever in the first year after vaccination
- Ty21a vaccine – this is thought to be 50-60% effective against typhoid fever in the first year after vaccination
While the VI vaccine is more effective, some people prefer to have the Ty21a vaccine because it is available as a tablet, while the VI vaccine is given by injection.
However, as the Ty21a vaccine contains a live sample of Salmonella typhi bacteria, it is not suitable for people who have a weakened immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and illness), such as people with HIV.
The protective effect of the VI vaccine will last for around three years, after which a follow-up booster vaccination will be required. The Ty21a vaccine will last for around one year before a booster shot is required.
Ideally, the typhoid vaccine should be given at least one month before you travel but, if necessary, it can be given closer to your travel date.
The typhoid fever vaccine is not suitable for infants younger than two.
Side effects
After having the typhoid fever vaccine, some people experience temporary soreness, redness, swelling or hardness at the injection site. About 1% of people experience a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF), while less common side effects include:
- abdominal pain
- headache
- nausea
- diarrhoea
Severe reactions are rare.
