Alberta Health Services
Health Information
The typhoid vaccine protects against typhoid fever caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi.
The typhoid vaccine given by injection (needle) is called TYVI.
You should get this vaccine if you are age 2 years or older and have close contact with someone who can spread typhoid. Some lab workers may also get this vaccine.
Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you should get typhoid vaccine.
If you are travelling to an area that has a high risk of typhoid, you may also choose to get this vaccine. If you’re getting the vaccine because of travel, it’s not free. Check with your health insurance provider to see if your plan covers the cost. Learn more about vaccines for travel.
You may not be able to get this vaccine if:
If you have allergies or have had a side effect from this vaccine in the past, check with your doctor or a public health nurse before you get the vaccine.
Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness such as a cold or fever, you should stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.
You need 1 dose. You may need another dose every 3 years if you are at continued risk of typhoid. Check with your healthcare provider.
There are other vaccines that protect against typhoid. They’re commonly for travellers.
If you had another typhoid vaccine, such as oral (you take it by mouth) typhoid vaccine or hepatitis A and typhoid combined vaccine (Vivaxim), you may not need this vaccine. Check with your healthcare provider to find out if you need another dose. Some typhoid vaccines last longer than others.
If you need the vaccine because of your work (such as some lab workers), talk to your workplace health and safety department.
If you can get this vaccine for free, contact your local public health or community health centre.
If you’re travelling to an area that has a high risk of typhoid, contact a travel health clinic. Learn more about vaccines for travel. You can also talk to your doctor or pharmacist about typhoid vaccine and how to be careful with food and water when you travel.
After you get this vaccine, protection is about 50%. Protection weakens over time.
If you travel to areas with a high risk of typhoid, you must be very careful with food and water even if you’ve had this vaccine.
Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.
There can be side effects from the TYVI vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days. Side effects may include:
At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.
It’s important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.
It’s rare to have a serious side effect. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.
There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.
