A travel vaccine that protects against typhoid fever
Typhoid vaccine
A travel vaccine that protects against typhoid fever, available as an injection or as oral live capsules.
What is Typhoid vaccine?
The typhoid vaccine protects against typhoid fever, a serious illness caused by bacteria spread through contaminated food and water. It is mainly used by travellers visiting parts of the world where typhoid is common. It comes in two forms: an injection, and an oral live form taken as capsules. The oral live form should not be used by people with a weakened immune system. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the injection is given or, with the capsules, some tummy upset. The vaccine reduces but does not completely remove the risk, so good food and water hygiene while travelling is still important.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Typhoid vaccine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
The typhoid vaccine is an immunisation used to protect against typhoid fever, a serious illness caused by bacteria spread through food and water contaminated with infected stool. In the UK it is mainly given to people travelling to regions where typhoid is common, and sometimes to certain workers. It is available in two forms: an injectable vaccine, and an oral form taken as capsules that contains a weakened live bacterium. The choice between them depends on the person, including whether the oral live form is suitable for them.
How it works
The injectable typhoid vaccine contains part of the bacteria's outer coat, which the immune system learns to recognise so it can make protective antibodies without causing illness. The oral form contains a weakened, live strain of the bacteria that prompts a protective immune response in the gut, again without causing typhoid in most people. Either way, the immune system is primed so that if the real bacteria are encountered through contaminated food or water, the body can respond quickly. Protection is good but not complete and fades over time, so further doses are needed for ongoing travel.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A vaccine used in the UK mainly for travellers going to areas where typhoid is common, available as an injection or as an oral live capsule.
Practical use
How to take Typhoid vaccine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Arrange it well before travelling, as it needs time to take effect before you reach a risk area.
- Discuss which form suits you; the oral live capsules are not for people with a significantly weakened immune system.
- If you have the oral capsules, take them exactly as directed, on the correct days and apart from certain antibiotics or antimalarials.
- Keep up good food and water hygiene while travelling, as the vaccine reduces but does not remove the risk.
- Tell the nurse or doctor about your health and medicines so they can advise on the right form and timing.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Typhoid vaccine
Advantages
- Protects against typhoid fever, a serious illness, for people travelling to where it is common.
- Available as an injection or as oral capsules, allowing a choice to suit the person.
- Generally well tolerated, with mostly mild side effects.
Disadvantages
- Protection is not complete, so good food and water hygiene is still needed.
- The oral live form cannot be used by people with a significantly weakened immune system.
- Protection fades over time, so repeat doses are needed for ongoing or repeated travel.
Practical use
Good to know
A key practical point is that the typhoid vaccine is mainly a travel vaccine and should be arranged in good time before a trip, as it needs a little while to take effect. There are two forms, and the choice matters: the oral form contains a weakened live bacterium and so should not be used by people whose immune system is significantly weakened (for example by certain illnesses or medicines), whereas the injectable form is generally suitable for them. The oral capsules need to be taken correctly, on the right days and apart from certain antibiotics and antimalarial medicines that could stop them working. The vaccine lowers but does not remove the risk, so careful food and water hygiene while travelling remains essential. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness at the injection site or, with the capsules, mild tummy upset.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with a significantly weakened immune system should not have the oral live form; the injection may be used instead.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or a vaccine ingredient should not have it.
- If you are unwell with a high temperature, vaccination may be delayed until you are better.
Monitoring
- Choosing the right form based on your immune status and other medicines.
- A short period of observation after an injection in case of an immediate reaction.
- Reviewing the need for further doses for repeated or continuing travel.
Side effects
- Soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given.
- A mild temperature, headache or feeling generally off for a short time.
- With the oral capsules, mild tummy upset such as nausea or stomach ache.
- Very rarely, a serious allergic reaction soon after vaccination, which staff are trained to manage.
Key interactions
- The oral live capsules can be made less effective by certain antibiotics and some antimalarial medicines, so timing must be spaced.
- Tell the team about medicines that affect the immune system, which can affect how well the vaccine works and whether the live form is suitable.
- The injectable form can usually be given alongside other travel vaccines, as advised.
Available as: An injection, and an oral form taken as capsules containing a weakened live bacterium.
Answers
Typhoid vaccine: frequently asked questions
What does the typhoid vaccine protect against?
It protects against typhoid fever, a serious illness caused by bacteria spread through food and water contaminated with infected stool, mainly a risk when travelling.
What forms does it come in?
It is available as an injection and as an oral form taken as capsules, which contains a weakened live bacterium; your nurse or doctor will advise which suits you.
Who should avoid the oral form?
People with a significantly weakened immune system should not have the oral live capsules; the injectable form is usually used for them instead.
Does it fully protect me?
No. It lowers the risk but does not remove it, so careful food and water hygiene while travelling is still very important.
When should I have it?
Arrange it well before your trip, as the vaccine needs a little time to take effect before you reach an area where typhoid is common.
The wider class
About Vaccine (typhoid protection, travel)
Typhoid vaccine belongs to the vaccine (typhoid protection, travel) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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