Typhoid fever is rare in Western Europe. By drinking only bottled or boiled beverages and eating only thoroughly cooked food, a traveler lowers the risk of infection. Therefore, even vaccinated travelers should be cautious in selecting their food and water. Two recommended vaccines provide equivalent protection against typhoid fever. The oral vaccine consists of 4 capsules taken every other day over a seven day period and requires a booster every 5 years.
Reactions are rare and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and skin rash.
The new, injectable ViCPS vaccine consists of 1 shot and requires a booster every 2 years. Reactions are rarer than with the old, killed injectable typhoid vaccine, and include discomfort at the site of injection for 1-2 days, and headache. CDC recommends a typhoid vaccination for those travelers who are going off the usual tourist itineraries, traveling to smaller cities and rural areas, or staying for six weeks or more. Typhoid vaccination is not required for international travel. Symptoms, if they occur, may include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, dark urine, jaundice, vomiting, aches and pains, and light stools.