What it is, and why it matters
Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water. It can cause prolonged fever, abdominal symptoms, headache and serious complications.
Most Australian cases are acquired overseas. Seek prompt medical assessment for fever during or after travel and tell the clinician where you travelled. Antibiotic resistance can affect treatment choices.
How typhoid vaccination works
Typhoid vaccination may be recommended for travel to regions where the infection occurs. The assessment considers destination, food and water exposure, length of stay, age and previous vaccination.
Available courses have different age limits, timing and precautions. A clinician selects the appropriate option; vaccination does not replace food and water precautions.
Individual assessment. This general information does not determine which vaccination is suitable for you. Your clinician discusses the available options, benefits, risks, timing and funding before you decide.
Funding and eligibility for typhoid vaccination
Anchored to the National Immunisation Program schedule and ATAGI advice. Your immuniser confirms your eligibility at the pre-vaccination consultation.
Travellers to typhoid-endemic regions
The recommendation depends on the itinerary and exposure. Children need an age-appropriate option and authorised provider.
Laboratory workers with relevant exposure
Occupational risk and employer arrangements should be assessed.
Doses and timing
Schedules below reflect typical recommendations. Your immuniser will confirm exactly what applies to you, including any catch-up doses and co-administration with other vaccines.
- A course may be a single injection or a multi-dose oral course. The clinician confirms the appropriate course and completion time before travel.
- For continuing risk, the usual repeat interval after an injectable dose is three years. Oral-course repeat intervals depend on whether the course contained three or four doses.
- Recent antibiotics and some other medicines can affect oral-course timing. Discuss all medicines with the clinician.
What to expect
- Injection-site reactions may occur after an injection. Oral courses can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Headache or fever can also occur.
- A severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or relevant component requires specialist assessment. Stay for the recommended observation period, usually at least 15 minutes.
Precautions
- Tell the immuniser about previous serious reactions, medicines, immune conditions, pregnancy and any current illness before vaccination.
- The oral option is not suitable during pregnancy or for people who are immunocompromised. Age limits and medicine interactions must be checked.
Benefits, limitations and individual advice
Typhoid vaccination reduces risk but protection is incomplete. It does not protect against all causes of travellers' diarrhoea or foodborne illness.
FAQs about typhoid vaccination
Do I need it when visiting friends or relatives?
Such trips can involve exposure through food and water, but recommendation depends on the actual itinerary and previous vaccination. Discuss where and how you will travel.
Can I choose any available course?
The clinician must check age, health, medicines, previous doses and departure date before recommending an option.
Can I stop taking food and water precautions after vaccination?
No. Vaccination does not provide complete protection or cover every foodborne infection.
Primary references
Deeper reading on typhoid
Book your typhoid vaccination
Contact the pharmacy to check service availability, suitability and booking options.
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