What are the two main typhoid fever vaccines and who should receive them?

What are the two main typhoid fever vaccines and who should receive them?

• A. Oral Ty21a live attenuated vaccine and injectable Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine; travelers to high-risk areas and some lab workers
• B. Inactivated whole-cell vaccine; travelers to high-risk areas
• C. Live attenuated influenza vaccine; general population
• D. BCG vaccine; healthcare workers

Answer: (A)

Two vaccines protect against typhoid fever: an oral Ty21a live attenuated vaccine and an injectable Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine. Ty21a is taken by mouth in several doses and is typically used in people aged 6 and older; Vi is given as a single injection and is approved for people aged 2 and older, with boosters considered for ongoing risk. These vaccines are recommended for travelers to areas where typhoid is common and for laboratory workers who may be exposed to Salmonella Typhi. The other options aren’t used for typhoid: the older inactivated whole‑cell vaccine is less common due to more side effects, the live attenuated influenza vaccine targets flu, and BCG is for tuberculosis.

Two vaccines protect against typhoid fever: an oral Ty21a live attenuated vaccine and an injectable Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine. Ty21a is taken by mouth in several doses and is typically used in people aged 6 and older; Vi is given as a single injection and is approved for people aged 2 and older, with boosters considered for ongoing risk. These vaccines are recommended for travelers to areas where typhoid is common and for laboratory workers who may be exposed to Salmonella Typhi. The other options aren’t used for typhoid: the older inactivated whole‑cell vaccine is less common due to more side effects, the live attenuated influenza vaccine targets flu, and BCG is for tuberculosis.