What is the typhoid vaccine?
The typhoid vaccine protects against the virus that causes typhoid infection.
Vaccines can provide protection against a single disease, or can be made to provide protection against more than one disease. Typhoid fever vaccine is available as both single and combined formats. The vaccine you receive depends on your age, your vaccine requirements and the specific vaccine products that are currently available.
Vaccines commonly used:
- Typherix® (GlaxoSmithKline)
- Typhim Vi® (Sanofi Pasteur Ltd.)
- ViVaxim® (Sanofi Pasteur Ltd.)
Who should get the typhoid vaccine?
- travellers going to areas where typhoid fever is common (for more than four weeks or going out of the usual tourist areas) and where exposure to unsafe food and water is likely
- people who have ongoing contact with someone that is a typhoid carrier (either by being intimate or by living with them)
- laboratory workers who are at risk
- travellers who have low or no secretion of stomach acid
Who should not get the typhoid vaccine?
- People who have had serious allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine or to a previous dose of the vaccine itself should not receive the typhoid vaccine.
- Pregnant women should not receive live typhoid vaccine.
Your health care provider will ask you questions about your health before giving you any vaccine. This will help them identify allergies you might have and safely manage potential allergic reactions.
What are the possible side effects of the typhoid vaccine?
You could have mild side effects after being vaccinated, but they usually go away in one to two days. Some people can be allergic to the vaccine, just like they might have a food or medication allergy.
Learn more about common vaccine side effects and what to do about them.
Is the typhoid vaccine required to attend school, daycare or to work in certain settings?
No. Children don’t have to be immunized against this disease to attend school or a licensed day care in Ontario (Immunization of School Pupils Act, Child Care and Early Years Act). However, this vaccine may be required in certain workplaces.
Reporting vaccinations
Access and update your immunization records.
What else should you know about the typhoid vaccine?
Cost
This vaccine is available at cost for individuals who would benefit from it.
Risks and benefits:
Talk to your health care provider about getting vaccinated if you have special health conditions or concerns. Learn more about special considerations before being vaccinated.
Where can you get the typhoid vaccine?
- Public Health offers this vaccine at one of our immunization clinics.
- You may also be able to get vaccinated at your doctor’s office, a walk-in clinic or community health centre. Appointments may be required.
For more information:
- Contact us.
- See our frequently asked questions or send us your question.
- See our list of helpful websites for information about vaccination.