A typhoid vaccine typically costs between $120 and $200 out of pocket, depending on which type you get and where you go. Most health insurance plans don’t cover it, so this is a cost you’ll likely pay yourself.
Injectable vs. Oral: Two Options at Different Prices
There are two typhoid vaccines available in the U.S., and they differ in price, how they’re given, and how long they last.
The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is a single shot that costs roughly $185 to $197 at retail pharmacies. CVS, for example, lists it at $184.99 out of pocket. It’s approved for anyone age 2 and older, and protection lasts about two years before you’d need a booster.
The oral vaccine (Vivotif) is a series of four capsules taken every other day, starting about $122 for the full course. It lasts longer than the shot, with boosters recommended every five years for people who remain at risk. The trade-off is the multi-day dosing schedule: you need to finish all four capsules at least one week before travel.
Why Insurance Probably Won’t Help
The typhoid vaccine is considered a travel vaccine, not a routine immunization. That distinction matters for your wallet. The CDC notes that many health insurance plans provide no or limited coverage for travel immunizations and related medications. Unlike childhood vaccines or your annual flu shot, typhoid vaccination falls outside the preventive care benefits that insurers are required to cover.
That said, it’s worth checking with your insurer before assuming you’ll pay full price. Some plans with international travel benefits or more comprehensive pharmacy coverage may partially reimburse you. If you have an HSA or FSA, those funds can typically be used for travel vaccines.
Where You Get It Affects What You Pay
Retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens offer typhoid vaccines with walk-in or scheduled appointments, generally in the $185 to $197 range for the injectable version. This is the most convenient option for most people, but not always the cheapest.
Travel clinics, run by hospitals or independent providers, often charge an additional consultation fee on top of the vaccine price. These fees typically run $25 to $50 per person. At Yavapai County’s travel clinic, for instance, the consult fee is $50 for the first person and $25 for each additional family member traveling together. Consult fees are generally not covered by insurance either. Travel clinics can be worthwhile if you need multiple vaccines or personalized advice for a complex itinerary, but for a straightforward typhoid-only visit, a pharmacy is usually simpler and cheaper.
Public health departments sometimes offer travel vaccines at lower prices or on a sliding scale, though availability varies widely by location. Call your local health department to ask whether they stock the typhoid vaccine and what they charge.
How to Lower the Cost
Prescription discount programs can shave a meaningful amount off the injectable vaccine price. GoodRx lists coupons bringing Typhim Vi down to around $125 to $143, compared to retail prices near $197. That’s a savings of roughly 27%. You can print or show these coupons at participating pharmacies without needing insurance.
Choosing the oral vaccine over the shot saves money upfront (around $122 vs. $185 or more) and over time, since you only need a booster every five years instead of every two. If you travel frequently to areas where typhoid is common, the oral vaccine’s longer protection window means fewer doses and lower cumulative cost. Over a 10-year period, you’d need five injectable boosters but only two oral boosters.
Total Cost to Expect
For a single trip, budget roughly $125 to $200 for the vaccine itself. If you go through a travel clinic, add $25 to $50 for the consultation. If you need other travel vaccines at the same visit (yellow fever, hepatitis A, or others), costs add up quickly, but the per-visit consultation fee typically covers all the vaccines discussed in that appointment.
Plan timing carefully. The injectable vaccine needs to be given at least two weeks before departure, and the oral series requires starting at least a couple of weeks out. Last-minute appointments at urgent care or travel clinics may carry higher fees, so booking a few weeks ahead gives you more options to shop around on price.