Typhoid Vaccine

About Typhoid Vaccine

Almroth Wright developed the first typhoid vaccine at the British Army Medical School in 1896. The vaccine was tested on British soldiers in India. Typhoid, caused by Salmonella typhi, is transmitted through contaminated food and water. The disease causes fever, rash, and intestinal perforation. Before the vaccine, typhoid killed more soldiers than combat in many wars. Modern typhoid vaccines include the injectable Vi polysaccharide vaccine and the oral Ty21a vaccine. A new conjugate vaccine, Typbar TCV, was prequalified by WHO at the end of 2017. The conjugate vaccine provides longer lasting protection and can be given to young children. Drug resistant typhoid is an increasing problem, particularly in Pakistan where extensively drug resistant XDR typhoid emerged. Typhoid vaccines are used for travellers to endemic areas, in routine programmes in some endemic countries, and for outbreak control.