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Typhoid Vaccine in Singapore

Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water, and remains common across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America. A single typhoid vaccine injection, given about two weeks before you travel, protects you for around three years.

Book your typhoid vaccine Check your destination
1 doseSingle injection
2 weeksBefore you travel
~3 yearsBooster interval
AccessibleClinics across Singapore
A vial of typhoid vaccine with a globe and world map
The disease

What is typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi. It spreads by the faecal-oral route — through food or water contaminated by an infected person's stool, often where sanitation and hand hygiene are poor.

It causes a prolonged, stepwise fever with headache, weakness, abdominal pain and either constipation or diarrhoea. Left untreated it can lead to intestinal bleeding or perforation, and can be fatal.

Some people recover but continue to carry and shed the bacteria without symptoms — which is how outbreaks quietly persist.

Symptoms of typhoid

  • Prolonged high fever, rising over days
  • Headache and profound weakness
  • Abdominal pain and loss of appetite
  • Constipation, or diarrhoea
  • Complications: intestinal bleeding or perforation
Know your risk

Where is typhoid a risk?

Typhoid is most common where sanitation is poor. Risk also depends on where you eat, how long you stay, and how rural your itinerary is.

South Asia

  • Highest risk region
  • India, Pakistan
  • Bangladesh, Nepal
  • Vaccination strongly advised

Southeast Asia

  • Indonesia, Philippines
  • Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos
  • Rural areas especially

Africa

  • Much of sub-Saharan Africa
  • Where sanitation is poor

Central & South America

  • Parts of the region
  • Rural and remote areas

Travellers visiting friends and relatives are often at higher risk than tourists — they tend to stay longer, eat in homes rather than hotels, and may not think of themselves as "travellers" needing vaccination.

Is it for you?

Who should get the typhoid vaccine?

Vaccination is recommended for travel to areas where typhoid is common, and for a few occupational groups.

  • Travellers to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America
  • Those visiting friends and relatives in affected regions
  • Travellers on longer trips, or to rural areas
  • Backpackers and adventurous eaters
  • Aid workers, volunteers and researchers
  • Close contacts of a known typhoid carrier
  • Laboratory staff who may handle Salmonella Typhi
Schedule

Typhoid vaccine dose & timing

One injection into the upper arm, given about two weeks before you fly.

Single doseOne injection of the Vi polysaccharide typhoid vaccine (Typhim Vi).
About 2 weeks before travelGive your body time to build protection. Travelling sooner? Come anyway — we can still help.
Booster every 3 yearsIf you continue to travel to areas where typhoid is common.
From age 2The injectable typhoid vaccine is generally given from two years of age.
Alongside other travel vaccinesCan be given with hepatitis A and others, in a single travel consultation.
Important

The typhoid vaccine is not a licence to eat anything

Two honest limitations worth knowing before you travel.

It isn't 100% effective

No typhoid vaccine offers complete protection. It substantially reduces your risk — and makes illness milder if you do catch it — but careful food and water hygiene remains your first line of defence.

It doesn't cover paratyphoid

Paratyphoid fever is caused by related bacteria, produces similar symptoms, and is not prevented by the typhoid vaccine. Only food and water precautions protect against it.

Safe food & water abroad

  • Drink bottled, boiled or treated water — and skip the ice
  • Eat food that is thoroughly cooked and still hot
  • Avoid raw salads and unpeeled fruit
  • Be wary of street food and unpasteurised dairy
  • Wash hands often, or use alcohol hand rub
Safety

Typhoid vaccine side effects & precautions

The injectable typhoid vaccine is inactivated and well tolerated.

Common & mild

  • Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
  • Headache or muscle aches
  • Dizziness — you may be asked to sit for about 15 minutes
  • A mild fever
  • Usually settles within a day or two

Tell your doctor if you

  • Are unwell or have a fever today
  • Reacted badly to a previous typhoid vaccine
  • Are allergic to any vaccine component
  • Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding
  • Have a weakened immune system — relevant if the oral vaccine is considered

Fever after travel needs attention

Typhoid can develop even after vaccination, and often begins one to three weeks after exposure. If you develop a persistent fever during or after travel to a typhoid area, see a doctor promptly and tell them exactly where you travelled. Untreated typhoid can be serious.

Cost

Typhoid vaccine cost in Singapore

The typhoid vaccine is a travel vaccine and is self-funded — it isn't covered by CHAS, Healthier SG or other national subsidy schemes. Contact us for current pricing, and ask about your other travel vaccines at the same time.

 Ask about typhoid vaccination
What to expect

Getting your typhoid vaccine

One short visit, covering everything you need before you fly.

1. Tell us your trip

Destination, dates and how rural your itinerary will be.

2. Travel health review

We check your history and advise on other vaccines you may need.

3. Your vaccination

A single injection into the upper arm, over in seconds.

4. Recorded for you

Documented in your health record, with a reminder when a booster is due.

Good to know

Typhoid vaccine FAQs

When should I get the typhoid vaccine before travelling?
At least two weeks before departure, so your body has time to build protection. If your trip is sooner than that, still come and see us — partial protection is better than none, and we can advise on food and water precautions.
How long does the typhoid vaccine last?
The injectable typhoid vaccine (Typhim Vi) protects for about three years. If you continue travelling to areas where typhoid is common, a booster dose every three years is recommended.
How many doses do I need?
One. The injectable typhoid vaccine is a single dose, with a booster every three years if you remain at risk.
Is the typhoid vaccine 100% effective?
No, and this matters. The typhoid vaccine reduces your risk substantially, but it does not eliminate it — no typhoid vaccine offers complete protection. Safe food and water practices remain essential even after vaccination.
Does the typhoid vaccine protect against paratyphoid fever?
No. The vaccine protects against Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. It does not protect against paratyphoid fever, which is caused by related bacteria and produces similar symptoms. Careful food and water hygiene is your only protection against paratyphoid.
Which countries have typhoid risk?
Typhoid is most common in South Asia — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal carry the highest risk — and is also present across parts of Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Risk is greatest where sanitation is poor.
Do I need the typhoid vaccine for a short trip?
It depends. Short stays in modern city hotels carry lower risk than rural travel, street food or long stays. But even short trips to high-risk regions such as South Asia often warrant vaccination. Our doctors will assess your itinerary.
Is it available as tablets rather than an injection?
An oral typhoid vaccine (a course of capsules containing live weakened bacteria) exists, though the injectable single-dose vaccine is what is usually given in Singapore. The oral vaccine is unsuitable for people with weakened immunity. Ask our doctors what's available and appropriate for you.
From what age can children have the typhoid vaccine?
The injectable typhoid vaccine is generally given from two years of age. For younger children travelling to high-risk areas, speak to our doctors about precautions.
What are the side effects of the typhoid vaccine?
Most people have only mild reactions: pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache or muscle aches, and sometimes dizziness shortly afterwards — you may be asked to sit for about 15 minutes. These settle on their own. Severe allergic reactions are rare.
Can I have the typhoid vaccine if I'm pregnant?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. The injectable vaccine is inactivated and may be given if the risk of typhoid is significant, but your doctor will weigh this up with you.
Is the typhoid vaccine subsidised in Singapore?
No. Typhoid vaccination is a travel vaccine and is self-funded — it isn't covered by CHAS, Healthier SG or other national subsidy schemes. Contact us for current pricing.
Can I get it with my other travel vaccines?
Yes. The typhoid vaccine can be given alongside other travel vaccines such as hepatitis A, and we can discuss malaria tablets in the same consultation. One visit can cover everything you need.
Where is my vaccination recorded?
Your vaccination is recorded in the National Immunisation Registry where relevant, and appears in your HealthHub record.
Related

Other travel health you may need

Hepatitis A & B Yellow Fever Malaria pills All vaccines

Travelling to South Asia or beyond?

Book your typhoid vaccine about two weeks before you fly. We'll cover your other travel vaccines and malaria advice in the same visit.

Book your typhoid vaccine

Sources

The requirements and recommendations on this page are drawn from official Singapore government sources:

This page is general information, not medical advice, and requirements can change. Always confirm the current position with the relevant Singapore government agency, or speak to our doctors about your own circumstances.