Typhoid vaccine

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a severe disease that is passed from person to person through poor hygiene, such as incomplete or no hand washing after using the toilet. Persons who are carriers of the disease and who handle food can be the source of spread of typhoid. Typhoid bacteria must be ingested to cause disease.

What are the symptoms of typhoid fever?

The key symptom of typhoid fever is a prolonged high fever, but it's often accompanied by a headache, discomfort, cough and loss of appetite. Diarrhea, from mild to severe, may or may not occur.

Where is it common?

Typhoid fever is common in South Asia, parts of south East Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Africa.

Who should get Typhoid vaccine?

• Travelers to countries where typhoid is widespread (e.g. south Asia, parts of south East Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Africa), especially if staying with or visiting the local population.
• Travelers to areas with frequent and/or prolonged exposure to conditions where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor.

Typhoid vaccine

There are two vaccines to prevent typhoid. One is an inactivated (killed) vaccine gotten as a shot, and the other is live (weakened) vaccine which is taken by mouth.

Inactivated Typhoid Vaccine (Shot)

• One dose provides protection. It should be given at least 2 weeks before travel to allow the vaccine time to work.
• A booster dose is needed every 2 years for people who remain at risk.

Live Typhoid Vaccine (By mouth)

• Four doses, given 2 days apart, are needed for protection. The last dose should be given at least 1 week before travel to allow the vaccine time to work.

A booster dose is needed every 5 years.

Typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective.  All necessary precautions should be taken to avoid contact with or ingestion of potentially contaminated food or water.

Either vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

What should be expected post vaccination?

• Local reactions (pain, swelling, redness at injection site) are the most commonly reported symptoms following inactivated typhoid vaccine (injection). These symptoms are usually mild and transient.
• Severe reactions (lip swelling, tongue swelling, shortness of breath, etc) following the vaccine are very rare(applied to both types of vaccines)

Where can traveler get vaccinated for Typhoid in New York City?

Travelers can get typhoid vaccination in our certified conveniently located New York City travel clinic.

Please call us today at (212) 696 5900 to ensure your travel safety.

For more information please go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/TyphoidFever_g.htm