Typhoid Vaccines in India – What You Need To Know

Which are the vaccines available against Typhoid in India? 

1. Typhoid polysaccharide vaccine 

2. Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV)

 

Live Oral Ty21a Typhoid vaccine is NOT available in India

Name

Typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCV)

Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccines (ViCPS)

Type

Vi capsular polysaccharide of S. typhi conjugated to different carrier proteins like Tetanus Toxoid 

Vi capsular polysaccharide of S. typhi

Immune Response

Provoke a stronger and long lasting immune response

Create a weak and  short-lived immune response which last upto 3 years

Availability in India

Yes

Yes

Tradename(s) (Manufacturer)

1.Typbar TCV (Bharat Biotech)

2.TYPHIBEV (Biological E)

3.Zyvac TCV (Zydus Cadila)

1.Typbar (Bharat Biotech)

2. Vac Typh (Zydus Cadila)

3. Biovac Typhoid (Dr Reddy’s)

Cost 

Rs 1400 to 1900

Rs 150 to Rs 300

Administration

Intramuscular injection

Intramuscular injection

Age

≥6 months to ≤45 years

≥ 2 years of age . No upper age limit

Primary series

1 dose

1 dose 

Boosters

As of now, there is no recommendation for boosters for Typhoid conjugate vaccine . 

 * May be given after 3 years as per manufacturer recommendation . 

Boosters every 3 years 

Effectiveness

80 % to 87%

50% to 70% (50% at the end of 3 years)

FAQs

1.Why booster is not recommended or TCV (Typhoid conjugate vaccine) ? 

Available data shows protection with TCV may last for up to 7 years after the administration of one dose, and natural boosting may occur in endemic areas

2. Should  Typhoid vaccine be given to a person who had a Typhoid infection in the past ?

Typhoid vaccine should be given to persons  who have suffered from typhoid because natural infection does not give long-term protection. The vaccine may be given as early as 4–6 weeks after recovery 

3.Will Widal test become positive after Typhoid vaccination ?

No . Widal test measures antibodies against H and O antigens , where as vaccines uses Vi polysaccharide antigen

4.How safe is the Typhoid Vaccine ? 

Side effects of the vaccine include fever, pain and swelling at the site of the injection. Generally, it is a safe vaccine

5.Who should not receive Typhoid vaccine ?

Any person who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of any Typhoid vaccine or has known severe allergy to any of the constituents of the vaccine, should not receive the vaccine.

Safety and effectiveness of Typhoid vaccines  have not been established in pregnancy and lactation .

6.Why polysaccharide vaccines are not recommended in less than 2 year age group ?

Vi polysaccharide vaccines have T-cell–independent immune response, hence, it is poorly immunogenic in young children . Conjugation of the polysaccharide to a carrier protein converts the immune response to be T-cell dependent, characterized by affinity maturation, subclass switching, and induction of immune memory . 


7.Can typhoid fever occur even after vaccination ?

Yes . Vaccines cannot offer 100% protection from any disease. Besides, vaccinated persons can get paratyphoid fever which is very similar to typhoid fever , as the vaccines protect only against typhoid and not paratyphoid fever .

 

 

Dr Praveen KS

Pediatrician , Fort Taluk Hospital , Thiruvananthapuram