Vaccination
Pakistan is experiencing an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant typhoid fever. Travelers to Pakistan and other South Asian countries should take precautions.
Vaccination can help prevent typhoid fever. CDC recommends vaccination for people traveling to places where typhoid fever is common, such as South Asia, especially India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh.
Visit a doctor or travel clinic to discuss options.
Two typhoid fever vaccines are available in the United States.
- Oral vaccine: Can be given to people at least 6 years old. It consists of four pills taken every other day and should be finished at least 1 week before travel.
- Injectable vaccine: Can be given to people at least 2 years old and should be given at least 2 weeks before travel.
Typhoid vaccines are not 100% effective. Always practice safe eating and drinking habits to help prevent infection.
Typhoid vaccines lose effectiveness over time. The injectable vaccine requires a booster every 2 years, and the oral vaccine requires a booster every 5 years. If you were vaccinated in the past, ask your doctor if it is time for a booster vaccination. Taking antibiotics will not prevent typhoid fever; they only help treat it.
Basic Information on Typhoid Vaccines Available in the United States
| Abbreviated vaccine name (brand name, manufacturer) | How given | Number of doses recommended | When taken | How long to complete immunization before travel | Minimum age for vaccination | Booster needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ty21a (Vivotif, Emergent BioSolutions) | 1 capsule by mouth | 4 | Every other day | 1 week | 6 years | Every 5 years |
| ViCPS (Typhim Vi, Sanofi Pasteur) | Injection | 1 | Once | 2 weeks | 2 years | Every 2 years |
See Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for more information.
- Find out who should get the typhoid fever vaccine and when
- Read the typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever chapter in CDC Health Information for International Travel
- Get information and prevention tips on CDC’s Traveler’s Health site
- Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatment by reading CDC’s Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever Factsheet [PDF – 159 KB]
- Reduce your chances of getting sick while traveling with these safe eating and drinking tips