Typhoid Vaccine

Author:Dr. P. Siva Bharathi, M.D (Peds), AB (USA).

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a serious disease caused by a bacterial called S. typhi, which is acquired, from contaminated food and water. Typhoid manifest with high fever, weakness, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headache and sometimes with a rash. If not treated it can even lead to death. Some of the individual who are infected with this disease will become carriers who can harbor these bacteria and can spread to others.

What are the types of Typhoid vaccines available?

Killed vaccine - given by injection for children over 2 years of age. Needs booster injection every 3 years.

Live attenuated vaccine - given by mouth for children over 6 years of age and need to be repeated every 3 years (Need to take one capsule every alternate day for 3 doses)

When to give Typhoid vaccine for my child?

Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends Killed Typhoid vaccine for children at 2 years of age and booster dose every 3 years from then.

Who should not receive Typhoid vaccine?

Killed vaccine (Injection): Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of Typhoid vaccine should not get another dose.

Live Typhoid vaccine (Oral): Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of Typhoid vaccine or if the immune system is weakened (HIV/AIDS, treatment with steroids >2 weeks, treatment for cancer) should not get oral typhoid vaccine.

What are the side effects of Typhoid vaccine?

Serious side effects from both the type of Typhoid vaccine are very rare.

• Killed vaccine (Injection): Fever, headache or swelling at the site of injection
• Live Typhoid vaccine (Oral): Fever, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or rash.

What to do if there is any moderate or severe reaction?

Call the doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away

“Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and prevention, Indian Academy of pediatrics”