Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Typhoid Fever Vaccination
Pronounced (TYE-foid)
If you are traveling to a country where typhoid (Salmonella serotype Typhi) is common, you should consider
being vaccinated against typhoid. Visit a doctor or travel clinic to discuss
your vaccination options.
Remember that you will need to complete your vaccination at least 1 week before you travel so that the vaccine has time to take effect. Typhoid vaccines lose effectiveness after several years; if you were vaccinated in the past, check with your doctor to see if it is time for a booster vaccination.
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
What You Should Know
- Questions and Answers
- Pictures of Typhoid
Warning: Some of these photos are quite graphic. - Travelers information
If you are traveling to a country where typhoid is common...
Vaccination is not usually needed in the U.S. It is usually recommended only for international travelers going to developing countries where exposure to contaminated food or water is likely. If needed, there are currently two vaccines available in the United States. Please consult your doctor or travel clinic to determine which vaccine is right for you.
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Typhoid
- Technical information
Clinical Features, Etiologic Agent, Incidence, Complications, Transmission, Risk Groups, Surveillance, Trends, Challenges, etc. - Vaccine administration
- Package inserts
(Vivotif
, Typhim Vi, and more package inserts...) Posted Feb 2010 - Precautions and contraindications
Vaccine Recommendations
References and Resources
- Related MMWR articles, links, and references
- Typhoid Fever in the United States, 1999-2006.
Michael F. Lynch; Elizabeth M. Blanton; Sandra Bulens; et al. JAMA. 2009;302(8):859-865. - CDC - Estimating the Incidence of Typhoid Fever and Other Febrile Illnesses in Developing Countries
- WHO's Typhoid Outbreaks
- Travelers
Health: Yellow Book
Provider Education
- Podcasts
Immunization-related podcasts; none specifically on typhoid fever
Materials for Patients
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
Also available in Spanish language (Espanol) - Fiebre tifoidea - Las vacunas y las enfermedades que previenen (Spanish materials)
- CDC Special on water disinfection National Drinking Water Week 2010: "Only Tap Water Delivers"
Also available in Spanish (Espanol) - Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Typhoid Fever Infections Associated with Frozen Mamey Fruit Pulp
Also available in Spanish (Espanol)
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Content last reviewed on September 30, 2010
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases