VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many Vaccine Information Statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Typhoid Vaccine:

What You Need to Know

1 Why get vaccinated?

Typhoid vaccine can prevent typhoid fever.

People who are actively ill with typhoid fever and 

people who are carriers of the bacteria that cause 

typhoid fever can both spread the bacteria to other 

people. When someone eats or drinks contaminated 

food or drink, the bacteria can multiply and spread 

into the bloodstream, causing typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever can be a life-threatening disease. 

Symptoms of infection include persistent high fever, 

weakness, stomach pain, headache, diarrhea or 

constipation, cough, and loss of appetite.

People who do not get treatment can continue 

to have fever for weeks or months. As many as 

30% of people who do not get treatment die from 

complications of typhoid fever. There are fewer 

antibiotic treatment options as drug-resistant 

typhoid bacteria has become more common in many 

parts of the world.

Typhoid fever is common in many regions of the 

world, including parts of East and Southeast Asia, 

Africa, the Caribbean, and Central and South 

America. Typhoid fever is not common in the 

United States.

2 Typhoid vaccine

There are two vaccines to prevent typhoid fever. One 

is an inactivated (killed) vaccine and the other is a 

live, attenuated (weakened) vaccine. Your health care 

provider can help you decide which type of typhoid 

vaccine is best for you.

 Inactivated typhoid vaccine is administered as 

an injection (shot). It may be given to people 

2 years and older. One dose is recommended at 

least 2 weeks before travel. Repeated doses are 

recommended every 2 years for people who remain 

at risk.

 Live typhoid vaccine is administered orally (by 

mouth). It may be given to people 6 years and 

older. One capsule is taken every other day, for a 

total of 4 capsules. The last dose should be taken 

at least 1 week before travel. Each capsule should 

be swallowed whole (not chewed) about an hour 

before meals with cold or lukewarm water. A 

booster vaccine is needed every 5 years for people 

who remain at risk. Important: live typhoid 

vaccine capsules must be stored in a refrigerator 

(not frozen).

Routine typhoid vaccination is not recommended 

in the United States, but typhoid vaccine is 

recommended for:

 Travelers to parts of the world where typhoid is 

common. (NOTE: typhoid vaccine is not 100% 

effective and is not a substitute for being careful 

about what you eat or drink.)

 People in close contact with a typhoid carrier.

 Laboratory workers who work with Salmonella 

typhi bacteria.

Typhoid vaccine may be given at the same time as 

other vaccines.

3 Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting the 

vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of typhoid vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies.

 Has a weakened immune system.

 Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or thinks she might 

be pregnant.

 Is taking or has recently taken antibiotics or antimalarial drugs.
Office use only

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone typhoid vaccination to a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

typhoid vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

4 Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Pain from the shot, redness, or swelling at the site 

of the injection, fever, and headache, and general 

discomfort can happen after inactivated typhoid 

vaccine.

 Fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, 

and vomiting can happen after live typhoid vaccine. 

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5 What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated 

person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a 

severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face 

and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not 

give medical advice.

6 How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s typhoid website at www.cdc.gov/

typhoid-fever/typhoid-vaccination.html

Vaccine Information Statement

Typhoid Vaccine

10/30/2019