29 March 2006

Re-introduction of oral typhoid vaccine: Vivotif®

With effect from March 2006, the oral typhoid vaccine, Vivotif® (Berna Products), has been re-introduced to the UK. It will be distributed through MASTA (contact details below). This vaccine was previously available in the UK until July 2002.

Typhoid vaccine is recommended for

• travellers visiting typhoid-endemic areas, especially if sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor
• persons who will have close contact with those who are typhoid carriers.
• laboratory personnel who may handle Salmonella Typhi in the course of their work.

Vivotif® is an oral vaccine that can be taken by persons aged 6 years and above; it is administered as a course of three doses; one capsule taken on days 1, 3 and 5.  Protection against typhoid fever commences approximately 7-10 days after ingesting the third dose.

There are now five vaccines available in the UK for prevention of typhoid fever. The other vaccines are Typhim Vi® and Viatim® (Sanofi Pasteur MSD), and Typherix® and Hepatyrix® (GlaxoSmithKline). Details of each can be found on the NaTHNaC typhoid information sheet.

Vaccination against typhoid fever provides only partial protection against the disease, and does not provide any protection against Salmonella Paratyphi. S. Paratyphi is increasingly a cause of enteric fever in UK travellers. Therefore, all travellers should take food and water hygiene precautions during their trip.

Links

NaTHNaC Typhoid and Paratyphoid Health Information Sheet http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/factsheets/typhoid.htm

Vivotif® Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)

http://emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/industry/default.asp?page=dis

playdoc.asp&documentid=17476

MASTA contact details:

Moorfield Rd

Yeadon

Leeds

LS19 7BN        

0113 238 7500