Typhoid Vaccine Overview
Typhoid fever is a potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It is usually contracted by consuming food or drinking water contaminated with the bacteria.
Typhoid mainly occurs in parts of the world where sanitation, sewage disposal and access to safe drinking water may be limited.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid
Typhoid and paratyphoid cause similar illnesses collectively known as enteric fever. Current typhoid vaccines provide protection against typhoid but do not provide reliable protection against paratyphoid.
How Is Typhoid Spread?
The bacteria are passed in the faeces and sometimes urine of an infected person. Food, water, hands and surfaces can become contaminated when hygiene and sanitation are inadequate.
- Drinking contaminated water
- Eating food washed or prepared using unsafe water
- Food handled by an infected person
- Raw or undercooked food
- Ice made using contaminated water
- Shellfish from contaminated water
- Poor hand hygiene after using the toilet
Who May Need Typhoid Vaccination?
Vaccination may be recommended for travellers visiting countries or regions where typhoid is common, particularly when sanitation and access to safe food or water may be uncertain.
- Travellers visiting South Asia
- People visiting friends and relatives abroad
- Long-stay travellers and backpackers
- People staying with local families
- Aid and humanitarian workers
- Travellers visiting rural or remote areas
- People likely to eat locally prepared food regularly
- Travellers with limited access to medical care
How Is the Typhoid Vaccine Given?
Typhoid vaccination may be provided as either a single injection or an oral course, depending on age, health, medicines, departure date and clinical suitability.
- Injection: one dose, ideally completed at least two weeks before travel
- Oral vaccine: a course of three capsules taken on alternate days
- The final oral capsule should be completed at least one week before possible exposure
A combined Hepatitis A and typhoid injection may also be available when protection against both infections is required.
Typhoid Vaccination and Personalised Travel Health Advice
Hampstead Travel Clinic provides private typhoid vaccination for suitable adults and children travelling to higher-risk destinations. Our experienced pharmacy team will review your itinerary, departure date, accommodation, medical history and previous vaccinations before recommending the most appropriate option.
Which Travellers Should Consider Typhoid Vaccination?
The recommendation depends on your precise destination and type of travel. Risk may be higher when staying with local families, visiting rural communities, eating local food regularly or travelling somewhere with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
- Travel to India or South Asia
- Visits to parts of Africa
- Travel to areas with poor sanitation
- Visiting friends and relatives
- Backpacking and long-term travel
- Rural or remote accommodation
- Aid and humanitarian work
- Frequent local food exposure
Your Typhoid Vaccination Appointment
We will assess your journey and recommend an injectable or oral vaccine where clinically appropriate.
Review Your Journey
We assess each destination, length of stay and accommodation type.
Clinical Assessment
We review your health, medicines, allergies and previous vaccines.
Choose Your Vaccine
We advise whether an injection or oral course is most suitable.
Receive Your Protection
The injection is given or instructions for the capsules are provided.
Preventing Typhoid While Travelling
Vaccination should always be combined with careful food, water and hand hygiene. The advice is equally important for reducing the risk of paratyphoid and other gastrointestinal infections.
- Drink sealed bottled water or appropriately treated water
- Avoid ice unless it was made using safe water
- Choose freshly cooked food that is served piping hot
- Avoid raw or undercooked meat and seafood
- Avoid unpasteurised milk and dairy products
- Peel fruit yourself before eating it
- Be cautious with salads and uncooked garnishes
- Wash hands thoroughly before eating
Typhoid Vaccination in Hampstead, North West London
Hampstead Travel Clinic is located inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE. We provide injectable and oral typhoid vaccination for suitable adults and children from Hampstead and surrounding North West London areas. Same-day or short-notice appointments may be available, subject to pharmacist availability, clinical suitability and vaccine stock.
- Hampstead
- Belsize Park
- Swiss Cottage
- Finchley Road
- St John’s Wood
- Primrose Hill
- West Hampstead
- Camden
- Kentish Town
- Gospel Oak
- Chalk Farm
- Golders Green
- Kilburn
- Highgate
Typhoid Vaccination FAQs
Helpful answers for travellers considering private typhoid vaccination in Hampstead.
Do I need a typhoid vaccine for travel?
Vaccination may be recommended when travelling to an area where typhoid is common, especially if sanitation and access to safe food or drinking water may be limited.
Your exact itinerary, accommodation, activities, length of stay and previous vaccinations should be assessed.
Which countries have a higher typhoid risk?
Typhoid is more common in South Asia and can also occur in parts of Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Central America and South America.
Risk varies within countries, so current advice should be checked for your precise destination.
Do I need a typhoid vaccine for India?
Typhoid vaccination is commonly recommended for travellers to India, particularly those visiting friends and relatives, staying for longer periods or travelling outside established tourist accommodation.
A full travel health assessment should also consider Hepatitis A, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and other destination-specific risks.
Is the injection or oral typhoid vaccine better?
Both options can provide protection against typhoid. The most appropriate choice depends on age, health, medicines, immune status, previous vaccination and time before departure.
The injection is given as one dose, while the oral vaccine requires three capsules taken correctly on alternate days.
How is the oral typhoid vaccine taken?
The oral course normally consists of three capsules taken on alternate days. The capsules must be swallowed whole and kept refrigerated according to the supplied instructions.
Instructions concerning food, drink, antibiotics and antimalarial medicines must be followed carefully.
How long before travelling should I be vaccinated?
The injectable vaccine should ideally be administered at least two weeks before possible exposure.
The oral course should be completed at least one week before possible exposure. Contact the clinic even when travelling at short notice so available options can be assessed.
How long does the typhoid vaccine last?
Protection is not lifelong. A further dose or repeat oral course is generally considered after three years when ongoing or repeat travel risk continues.
Bring your previous vaccination record so the date and vaccine type can be reviewed.
Does the vaccine protect against paratyphoid?
Current typhoid vaccines do not provide reliable protection against paratyphoid.
Food, water and hand-hygiene precautions remain essential for reducing the risk of both infections.
Can I have a combined Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine?
A combined injection may be suitable if you require protection against both Hepatitis A and typhoid.
Your age, destination, previous vaccinations and timing before travel will determine whether the combined vaccine is appropriate.
Can children receive the typhoid vaccine?
Injectable typhoid vaccines may be suitable for children from two years of age. Some products or clinical circumstances may differ.
The oral vaccine is generally suitable only from six years of age, subject to a clinical assessment and ability to swallow the capsules correctly.
Can I have the oral vaccine while taking antibiotics?
Antibiotics can interfere with the live oral vaccine. The course may need to be timed before or after antibiotic treatment.
Tell the pharmacist about all antibiotics and other medicines you are taking or have recently completed.
Can typhoid vaccine be taken with malaria tablets?
Some malaria medicines can affect the timing of the oral typhoid vaccine. The injectable vaccine may be a more suitable option in some circumstances.
Bring details of any prescribed or planned antimalarial medicine to the consultation.
What are the common vaccine side effects?
The injection may cause temporary pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, tiredness, muscle aches or a mild temperature.
Oral vaccine side effects can include abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhoea, headache or a mild temperature.
Can I still catch typhoid after vaccination?
Yes. Typhoid vaccination reduces risk but cannot guarantee complete protection.
Vaccinated travellers should continue to follow careful food, water and hand-hygiene precautions.
What are the symptoms of typhoid fever?
Symptoms can include a persistent high temperature, headache, abdominal pain, weakness, tiredness, reduced appetite, sickness, constipation or diarrhoea.
Some people develop a rash consisting of small pink spots. Seek medical advice promptly if symptoms occur after relevant travel.
Do you offer same-day typhoid vaccination?
Same-day or short-notice appointments may sometimes be available, subject to pharmacist availability, vaccine stock and clinical suitability.
Contact Hampstead Travel Clinic before visiting so our team can confirm current availability.
Where is Hampstead Travel Clinic located?
Hampstead Travel Clinic is based inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE.
Our clinic is convenient for travellers from Hampstead, Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, St John’s Wood, West Hampstead, Camden and surrounding North West London areas.
Book Your Typhoid Vaccination
Arrange a personalised travel health assessment with our experienced pharmacy team in Hampstead. We will review your destination, departure date and medical history before recommending an injectable, oral or combined typhoid vaccination option.
What Our Clients Say
“Nice staff particularly regular pharmacist. Gave me my flu jab painlessly”
“I have been going here for over a decade. The Chief pharmacist always goes out his way to assist me, the rest are also always friendly, polite and helpful.”
“Best local travel clinic. Really friendly and helpful staff. Very quick service.”
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