Typhoid vaccine, inactivated (Subcutaneous, Injection)

Typhoid fever is a serious illness that can be fatal. It is caused by a germ called Salmonella typhi and is mostly spread through contaminated food or water. It can also be transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, such as those living in the same household. Some people who are infected may not show any symptoms, but they can still spread the germ.

Typhoid fever is uncommon in the U.S. and in other places with good water and sewage systems. However, it remains a concern in regions lacking these systems. If you are traveling to certain countries or to remote areas, the typhoid vaccine can help protect you from typhoid fever. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently advise caution in the following regions:

• Africa
• Asia
• Latin America

The typhoid vaccine given by injection helps prevent typhoid fever but does not guarantee complete protection. Therefore, it is very important to avoid infected people and food and water that may be contaminated, even if you have had the vaccine.

To ensure the best protection against typhoid, you should complete the vaccine dosing schedule at least 1 week before you travel to areas where you may be at risk.

Additionally, if you will be traveling frequently to regions where typhoid is a concern, you should receive a booster dose of the vaccine every 3 years.

Typhoid vaccine should only be used by or under the supervision of a doctor.

In deciding to use a vaccine, you need to consider the risks of the vaccine against the benefits it will provide. This is a choice for you and your doctor to make. For this vaccine, keep the following points in mind:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other types of allergies, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Typhoid vaccine is not recommended for infants and children up to 6 months of age. For infants and children 6 months and older, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or issues than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work in exactly the same way as they do in younger adults. While there is no specific information comparing the use of typhoid vaccine in older adults with other age groups, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or issues in older people than it does in younger adults.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In such cases, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Previous sensitivity reaction to typhoid vaccine—Use of typhoid vaccine is not recommended

• Severe illness with fever—The symptoms of the condition may be confused with the side effects of the vaccine

Along with its necessary effects, a vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention. It is very important to inform your doctor about any side effects that happen after a dose of typhoid vaccine, even if the side effect has disappeared without treatment. Some types of side effects may indicate that you should not receive any more doses of typhoid vaccine.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Chest pain
• difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• hives
• itching, especially of feet or hands
• joint pain
• reddening of skin, especially around ears
• swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• muscle pain
• pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is important that you complete the full vaccine dosing schedule. If all the doses are not taken or if doses are not taken at the correct times, the vaccine may not work properly.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.