What is typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
Typhoid (also called "typhoid fever") is a serious disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria.
Typhoid can be fatal if left untreated.
Typhoid can cause high fever, muscle aches, severe headache, weakness, confusion or
agitation, loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation, and rose-colored spots on the skin.
Untreated typhoid infection may lead to kidney failure, or intestinal bleeding caused by
perforation (forming of a hole), which can be fatal. If the infection spreads to the gallbladder, the
infected person may become a chronic carrier of the bacteria that causes typhoid. A carrier may have
no symptoms but is capable of spreading the infection to others.
Typhoid is spread through contact with the stool (bowel movements) of a person infected with
the bacteria. This usually occurs by eating food or drinking water that has become contaminated with
feces from an infected person. Once in the digestive tract, typhoid infection can spread to the blood
and other parts of the body.
Typhoid fever is most common in non-industrialized parts of the world, especially Asia, Africa,
and Central or South America. People who travel to those regions are at risk of coming into contact
with the disease.
The typhoid vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults and children who are at least 2
years old. Although not part of a routine immunization schedule in the U.S., typhoid vaccine is
recommended for people who travel to areas where the disease is common.
This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of an extract from the bacteria, which
causes your body to develop immunity to the disease.
Typhoid vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body,
and will not prevent any disease caused by bacteria other than Salmonella typhi.
Like any vaccine, the typhoid vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
Typhoid vaccine should not be used in a person who is a typhoid carrier.
You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to typhoid
vaccine in the past.
Typhoid vaccine may not work as well in someone who has a weak immune system caused by
disease or by taking certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments, including radiation.
Before you receive this vaccine, tell the doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
such as hemophilia or easy bruising.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness
with a fever or any type of infection, the doctor may ask you to wait until you get better before you can
receive the vaccine.
Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a
pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the
mother becomes infected with a disease that this vaccine could prevent. Your doctor will decide
whether you should receive this vaccine, especially if you have a high risk of infection with typhoid.
It is not known whether typhoid vaccine passes into breast milk, or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not receive this vaccine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a
doctor's office or other clinic setting.
The typhoid vaccine is given as a single injection. A booster dose is then recommended every 2
years during possible exposure to typhoid. Your individual booster schedule may be different from
these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you are being vaccinated before traveling, you should receive the typhoid vaccine at least
2 weeks before your scheduled departure.
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for adults and children in the following situations:
-
people who travel to countries where typhoid fever is common;
-
people who will have long-term exposure to food or water
that may be contaminated with typhoid;
-
people who live with someone who is a typhoid carrier; and
-
laboratory workers who may come into contact with
Salmonella typhi in a work setting.
Wash your hands often to help prevent typhoid when you are in an area
where contamination is possible.
What happens if I miss a dose of typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next
dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.
Be sure to receive a booster dose of this vaccine every 2 years during continued exposure to
typhoid. If you do not receive the booster every 2 years, you may not be fully protected against the
disease.
Where can I get more information about typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
Your pharmacist has information about typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after
the first shot.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you
receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.
Becoming infected with typhoid is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the
vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of
serious side effects is extremely low.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
fever, swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, or general ill
feeling;
-
tremors or shaking; or
-
feeling like you might pass out.
Less serious side effects include:
-
pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, or a hard lump where the shot
was given;
-
low fever;
-
headache;
-
muscle or joint pain;
-
nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain; or
-
weakness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to typhoid
vaccine in the past.
Typhoid vaccine should not be used in a person who is a typhoid carrier.
Before you receive this vaccine, tell the doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
(such as hemophilia), a weak immune system caused by disease or by taking certain medicines, or if
you are taking a blood thinner or receiving cancer treatments or radiation.
Like any vaccine, the typhoid vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
In addition to receiving typhoid vaccine, take
precautions while traveling
such as avoiding raw fruits or vegetables that cannot be peeled, drinks that contain ice, flavored ices
that may have been made with contaminated water, unbottled or unboiled water, or any food or
beverage purchased from a street vendor.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving a typhoid vaccine. When
you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.
What should I avoid while taking typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
In addition to receiving typhoid vaccine, take
precautions while traveling
to
further prevent coming into contact with bacteria that cause typhoid fever:
-
Avoid eating leafy vegetables such as spinach or lettuce, which are
harder to wash properly.
-
Avoid eating raw fruits or vegetables that cannot be peeled,
or that have been peeled by another person.
-
Avoid drinks that contain ice, or frozen treats and flavored
ices that may have been made with contaminated water.
-
Avoid eating foods you have not cooked or prepared
yourself. Use clean surfaces and utensils when preparing food.
-
Drink only bottled water (carbonated is best) or water that
has been boiled for at least 1 minute.
-
Avoid any food or beverage purchased from a street
vendor.
What other drugs will affect typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines you have recently
received.
Also tell the doctor about all medications you use, especially a blood thinner such as warfarin
(Coumadin).
There may be other drugs that can affect this vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you have received. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without
telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of typhoid vaccine (inactivated), injection?
