Typhoid Vaccine UK: Side Effects, How Long It Lasts, Cost, and Combined Hep A Options

June 18, 2026 George 0 Comments

Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection that killed an estimated half a million people globally last year and affects 11 to 20 million people annually. In the UK, typhoid is rare — but 702 travel-associated cases were recorded in 2024, an 8% rise on the previous year and the highest annual figure on record, according to UKHSA. The vast majority are acquired in South Asia. Whether you are travelling to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or other high-risk destinations, the typhoid vaccine is a critical part of pre-travel preparation. Here is the complete UK guide: the two vaccine types available, how long each lasts, side effects, the combined Hep A option, and cost.

This article is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult your GP, pharmacist, or travel clinic for advice specific to your health and travel plans.

The Two Typhoid Vaccines Available in the UK

	Typhim Vi (Injection)	Vivotif (Oral)
Type	Inactivated (not live)	Live attenuated
How given	Single injection (0.5ml) into muscle or under skin	3 capsules, taken on alternate days (days 1, 3, 5)
Duration	3 years	3 years
Timing before travel	At least 2 weeks (4 weeks for maximum response)	At least 1-2 weeks (must complete course before travel)
Suitable for immunocompromised?	Yes (inactivated — safe for immunocompromised)	No — not suitable for HIV+ or immunocompromised
Suitable for children?	From 2 years old	Not recommended for children; some sources say not under 6
Interaction with antibiotics?	No issue	Must not take antibiotics 3 days before or after

Typhim Vi is the most widely used typhoid vaccine in UK travel clinics and pharmacies — it is an inactivated vaccine, meaning it contains killed bacterial material and cannot cause typhoid fever. Vivotif (oral capsules) is available but less commonly used in the UK; it is a live vaccine and has more contraindications and drug interactions.

How Long Does the Typhoid Vaccine Last?

Both typhoid vaccines provide protection for approximately three years. After three years, if you are still travelling to or living in high-risk areas, a repeat dose is needed:

Typhim Vi injection: A single dose provides 3 years of protection. When the 3-year period expires, a single new injection renews the protection for another 3 years. There is no need for a multi-dose course on re-vaccination.
Vivotif oral: The full course (3 capsules on alternate days) provides 3 years of protection, after which the course needs to be repeated.

The typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective — no typhoid vaccine is. This is particularly relevant if you are exposed to a large dose of Salmonella typhi, such as in areas with very poor sanitation. Vaccination should always be combined with careful food and water hygiene practices while travelling: drink bottled or boiled water, avoid ice in drinks, be cautious with street food, and follow safe food preparation practices.

Typhoid Vaccine Side Effects: Injection (Typhim Vi)

According to the official Typhim Vi patient information leaflet (updated January 2025 by Sanofi), the most common side effects appear within three days of vaccination and resolve spontaneously within one to three days.

Common Side Effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people)

Pain, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site — the most frequently reported reaction
Induration (a firm, raised area of skin) at the injection site
Headache
Malaise — a general feeling of being unwell
Myalgia — muscle aches
Fever (pyrexia)
Nausea

Uncommon Side Effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people)

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Itching (pruritus)
Skin rash
Urticaria (hives)

Rare and Very Rare Side Effects

Serious side effects are extremely rare. Very rarely, anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) has been reported — this is why you will be asked to remain at the clinic briefly after the injection. Guillain-Barré syndrome (a neurological condition) has been reported as a very rare post-marketing event following typhoid vaccination, though a causal relationship has not been firmly established. Report any unusual or persistent side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Typhoid Vaccine Side Effects: Oral (Vivotif)

Because Vivotif is a live vaccine taken by mouth, its side effects are predominantly gastrointestinal:

Abdominal pain and cramps
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Constipation
Headache
Fever
Skin rash or urticaria (less common)

The gastrointestinal effects reflect the fact that the live attenuated vaccine is passing through the gut, briefly replicating there to stimulate immunity. These effects are generally mild. Vivotif should be stored in a refrigerator at all times — if the capsules are not refrigerated, their viability is reduced.

Important Vivotif interaction: Do not take antibiotics for three days before or after taking the Vivotif capsules — antibiotics may kill the live vaccine bacteria in the gut, making the vaccine ineffective. Certain antimalarials also interact: mefloquine should ideally be avoided for at least 12 hours before or after oral typhoid vaccination. Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) can be taken at the same time as Vivotif.

Typhus vs Typhoid: An Important Distinction

Typhus and typhoid are entirely different diseases and are frequently confused:

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, spread through contaminated food and water. The typhoid vaccine protects against this.
Typhus refers to a group of diseases caused by Rickettsia bacteria, spread by infected lice, fleas, and ticks. There is no typhus vaccine routinely available in the UK.

People searching for ‘typhus vaccine side effects’ are almost certainly looking for information about the typhoid vaccine. If you are genuinely concerned about typhus exposure (rare in UK travellers), consult a travel health professional — but note there is no available typhus vaccination for general travel use in the UK.

Combined Hepatitis A and Typhoid Vaccine

For travellers who need both hepatitis A and typhoid protection, combined vaccines are available that deliver both in a single injection — reducing the number of injections and clinic visits.

Hepatyrix (GlaxoSmithKline)

Hepatyrix combines hepatitis A (adult dose) with typhoid Vi polysaccharide in a single injection. It is widely available at UK travel clinics. One injection provides typhoid protection for 3 years and hepatitis A priming.

Critical note: Hepatyrix provides hepatitis A priming only — not the full long-term hepatitis A course. A separate hepatitis A booster dose is still required 12 to 36 months later to achieve the long-term protection (25+ years) of a full hepatitis A course. If you do not have the booster, your hepatitis A protection will expire after approximately 12 months rather than lasting for decades.

Viatim (Sanofi)

Viatim is Sanofi’s equivalent combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine, with a similar composition and the same important caveat: a separate hepatitis A booster is still required later for long-term hepatitis A protection.

Hepatitis A Vaccine Brands: Havrix, Avaxim, and Vaqta

When a standalone hepatitis A vaccine is recommended — either as the primary course or as a booster after a combined Hep A/typhoid vaccine — the UK brands available are:

Brand	Manufacturer	Notes
Havrix 1440	GSK	Adult dose; 1440 EL.U per dose; standard adult hepatitis A vaccine
Havrix Junior 720	GSK	Paediatric dose for children aged 1-16 years
Havrix Monodose	GSK	Pre-filled single-dose syringe version of adult Havrix
Avaxim	Sanofi	Adult hepatitis A vaccine; 160 antigen units per dose
Vaqta	Merck	Available in some clinics; 50 units per adult dose

All of these are inactivated hepatitis A vaccines — they cannot cause hepatitis A. Any of these brands can be used to complete the hepatitis A course regardless of which brand was used for the first dose.

Typhoid Vaccine Cost in the UK

Vaccine	Typical Private Cost (2026)
Typhoid injection (Typhim Vi) — single dose	£30 – £60
Combined Hep A + typhoid (Hepatyrix or Viatim)	£70 – £90
Hepatitis A standalone (Havrix, Avaxim)	£35 – £65 per dose

Is Typhoid Vaccine Free on the NHS?

The typhoid vaccine is one of the few travel vaccinations that may be available free on the NHS. Peak Pharmacy confirms that typhoid is among the vaccines available free from NHS GP surgeries for eligible patients travelling to high-risk areas. However, availability varies by GP surgery — not all practices offer travel vaccinations, and those that do may have limited appointment availability.

If you are travelling to a high-risk destination and your GP surgery does not offer travel vaccinations, or if you need a last-minute appointment, private travel clinics and pharmacies can provide the vaccine at the prices listed above. Contact your GP surgery first to check eligibility and availability.

Who Needs the Typhoid Vaccine?

The typhoid vaccine is recommended for travellers visiting areas where typhoid is endemic and where sanitation and water quality cannot be guaranteed. Key risk groups per current guidance:

Travellers to South Asia — particularly Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, which account for the majority of UK typhoid cases. UKHSA data shows 702 travel-associated cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2024 — an 8% rise on 2023 and a record high
Travellers to sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central America, parts of the Middle East, and Southeast Asia
People visiting friends and relatives abroad — this group is disproportionately represented in UK typhoid statistics, partly because they are more likely to eat locally prepared food and drink local water than tourists staying in hotels
Aid workers, volunteers, and healthcare workers in areas with limited sanitation
Long-term travellers or those making frequent trips to endemic regions

A UKHSA alert issued in June 2025 highlighted the rise of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid originating primarily from Pakistan. XDR typhoid is resistant to multiple antibiotics, including ampicillin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim, and fluoroquinolones. This makes pre-travel vaccination more important than ever for travellers to Pakistan, as antibiotic treatment options for resistant strains are significantly more limited. The Vi polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi) provides the same level of protection against XDR strains as against standard Salmonella typhi.

Timing: When to Get the Typhoid Vaccine Before Travel

Ideally: at least 2-4 weeks before departure to allow time for full immune response to develop
Minimum: Typhim Vi can be given up to departure day, but protection may not be at maximum level — some protection is better than none
Vivotif (oral): the full 3-capsule course must be completed before departure; allow at least one week after the last capsule

If you are also receiving the combined Hep A and typhoid vaccine (Hepatyrix or Viatim), the timing is the same — allow at least 2 weeks before travel. Remember to book your separate hepatitis A booster for 12-36 months after the combined vaccine to complete your long-term hepatitis A protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the typhoid vaccine last?

The typhoid injection (Typhim Vi) lasts 3 years. The oral typhoid vaccine (Vivotif) also provides 3 years of protection. A booster dose is needed if you continue to travel to high-risk areas after 3 years.

What are the side effects of the typhoid vaccine?

Common side effects of the typhoid injection include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, headache, muscle aches, mild fever, and nausea. Most side effects appear within 3 days and resolve within 1-3 days. The oral Vivotif vaccine most commonly causes gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.

Is the combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine a good option?

Yes — for travellers who need both vaccines, the combined Hep A + typhoid injection (Hepatyrix or Viatim) reduces injections from two to one. However, it provides hepatitis A priming only, not long-term protection. A separate hepatitis A booster is still needed 12-36 months after the combined vaccine to achieve the 25-year protection of a full hepatitis A course.

What is Havrix Monodose?

Havrix Monodose is a pre-filled single-dose syringe version of the adult hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix 1440) made by GSK. Havrix 1440 and Havrix Monodose are the same vaccine in different packaging — both provide the adult dose of hepatitis A vaccine. Avaxim is the Sanofi equivalent.

Is the typhoid vaccine the same as the typhus vaccine?

No — typhus and typhoid are completely different diseases. Typhoid is caused by Salmonella typhi, spread through contaminated food and water, and has a vaccine (Typhim Vi or Vivotif). Typhus is caused by Rickettsia bacteria, spread by lice, fleas, and ticks, and there is no typhus vaccine routinely available in the UK.

Is typhoid vaccine free on the NHS?

The typhoid vaccine may be available free from your GP surgery if you are travelling to a high-risk area — it is classified as a high-priority travel vaccine on the NHS. However, availability varies by surgery. Contact your GP to check. If unavailable at your GP, it can be obtained privately at travel clinics for approximately £30-£60 per dose.

Final Thoughts

With 702 typhoid cases in UK travellers in 2024 — a record high — and the growing concern of drug-resistant XDR typhoid from Pakistan, pre-travel typhoid vaccination has never been more relevant. The injectable Typhim Vi remains the most convenient and widely available option: one injection, effective within two weeks, lasting three years. For travellers who need both typhoid and hepatitis A protection, the combined Hepatyrix or Viatim vaccine simplifies the appointment — but always remember that a separate hepatitis A booster is still needed for full long-term hepatitis A protection. Check with your GP first for free NHS access before paying privately.

This article is for educational purposes only. Consult your GP, pharmacist, or travel clinic for advice specific to your health and travel plans.