IMMUNIZATION – YOUR BEST PROTECTION

Vaccines are the best way to protect against some very serious diseases. Protect against typhoid disease with this vaccine.

In Ontario, typhoid vaccine is available for sale to:

• Individuals over 2 years of age: one dose

What is typhoid?

• A serious illness caused by bacteria that thrive in places with poor sanitation
• Symptoms can include chills and fever (which can exceed 40ºC or 104ºF), headache, tiredness, dizziness, loss of appetite and nausea, stomach pains and constipation or diarrhea.
• Approximately 16% of cases die from untreated illness and 1% who are given antibiotic therapy
• Chronic carriers account for about 2-5% of cases

How is typhoid spread?

Typhoid bacteria is spread through food and water that is contaminated with infected urine and feces

How safe is typhoid vaccine?

Vaccines are among the safest of modern medicine.  The only individuals who should NOT receive this typhoid vaccine are those who:

• are ill with fever or infection
• have had a sever allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) to a past dose of this vaccine or any of its components (latex) 
• are under 2 years of age

What are the side effects that I should watch for following vaccination?

Serious side effects from the vaccine are very rare (1:1,000,000). Most individuals have no problems following vaccination. Possible side effects include:

• Redness and soreness where the needle was given
• fatigue, fever, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, aches,
• allergic reactions (ie. hives, swelling and difficulty breathing) occur very rarely. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately

Call your doctor if you develop any symptoms that are severe or last more than a few days.  Please note that serious side effects are very unlikely to occur and the benefits of the vaccine are much greater than the risks.

*If you choose to have this vaccine today, you are required to wait two days before    donating blood.

For more information on this vaccine, contact one of the numbers below and ask to speak to a Nurse in the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program.