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NISH (NITAG Support Hub) 13: Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) : Home

This Library Guide is a collection of useful documents & evidence on the safety, efficacy, effectiveness and impact of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) to support NITAG members and other policy makers throughout Africa with making evidence-based recom

Introduction

This Library Guide is a collection of useful documents & evidence

This LibGuide has been compiled by Susanne Noll.  Please email susanne.noll@uct.ac.za for any queries or to request the full text of articles marked 'Not OA' - not open access

What is the disease?

Typhoid fever is an illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi). It infects your small intestines (gut) and causes high fever, stomach pain and other symptoms. Typhoid fever is also called enteric fever.

You’ll commonly hear paratyphoid fever mentioned along with typhoid. Paratyphoid fever is similar to typhoid with more mild symptoms. It’s caused by Salmonella Paratyphi (S. Paratyphi).

S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi are different than the Salmonella bacteria that cause salmonellosis, a common type of food poisoning.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

How does it spread?

Typhoid fever usually spreads through food or water contaminated with S. Typhi. This can happen if someone with typhoid touches something you eat or drink without washing their hands. It can also happen if waste water (water that has poop or pee in it) gets into water you drink or on food you eat.

You can get typhoid from another person if they don’t wash their hands after going to the bathroom. When they touch surfaces and objects (like phones or doorknobs) they can leave bacteria behind that can transfer to the next person who touches it.

Typhoid vaccines

WHO-prequalified and widely used in immunization programs   

             

  • Typbar TCV

Manufacturer: Bharat Biotech (India)

Approved for children and adults from 6 months to 45 years.                                                                     

  • TYPHIBEV

Manufacturer: Biological E

Approved for children and adults from 6 months to 64 years.

 

  • SKYTyphoid

Manufacturer: SK Bioscience and IVI  

Approved for use in children from 6 months of age to 45 years

How can it be prevented?

The best way to reduce your risk of typhoid fever is to get vaccinated if you live in or are traveling to an area where it’s common. There are oral and injectable (shot) versions. Depending on which type you get, you'll need to get them one to two weeks before you travel.

You should also take steps to avoid eating or drinking things that could be contaminated with S. Typhi or other bacteria. This is true both at home and when you’re traveling. Safe food handling practices include:

  • Don’t make food for others if you’re sick.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food or eating and after going to the bathroom.
  • Wash surfaces and utensils used for food prep and eating before and after use.
  • If you’re unsure whether the food you’re eating is safe, eat mostly well-cooked or packaged food.
  • Don’t drink untreated water or eat food prepared with untreated water. If you’re unsure, it’s safest to use bottled water to drink and cook with.

3 types of vaccines

According to the WHO there are currently 3 types of typhoid vaccines are licensed for use:

(i) typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV);

(ii) unconjugated Vi polysaccharide (ViPS); 

(iii) live attenuated Ty21a vaccines