You can get a typhoid vaccine at travel medicine clinics, local pharmacies (including chains like CVS and Walgreens), primary care offices, and public health departments. Most people planning international travel will find a pharmacy the quickest and most affordable option, though a travel clinic offers the advantage of personalized advice about all the vaccines and precautions your specific destination requires.
Where to Find a Typhoid Vaccine
Your options break down into a few categories, each with different trade-offs on cost, convenience, and expertise.
Retail pharmacies are the most accessible option for most people. Many locations stock the typhoid vaccine and can administer it without a separate doctor’s visit, though availability varies by location. Call ahead to confirm they have it in stock and ask whether you need a prescription from your doctor or if the pharmacist can prescribe it directly (rules vary by state). Pharmacies also tend to be cheaper: the total cost for an injectable typhoid vaccine averages about $107 per person at a pharmacy, compared to roughly $136 at a clinic.
Travel medicine clinics specialize in pre-trip health planning. The International Society of Travel Medicine maintains a searchable directory of clinics, and the CDC’s Travelers’ Health website links to it. These clinics are especially useful if you’re visiting a region where multiple vaccines or malaria prevention medication may be recommended, since a travel medicine specialist can review your full itinerary and medical history in one appointment.
Primary care offices and urgent care centers sometimes carry the typhoid vaccine, though many do not keep it routinely stocked. Your doctor’s office can either administer it or write a prescription you can fill at a pharmacy.
Local and state health departments often provide travel vaccines, sometimes at reduced cost. The CDC maintains a list of health departments that offer vaccination services.
Two Vaccine Types to Choose From
There are two typhoid vaccines available in the United States, and the one you get may depend on what’s in stock where you go.
The injectable vaccine (sold as Typhim Vi) is a single shot given in the muscle. It’s approved for anyone 2 years and older. You need just one dose, given at least two weeks before your trip. The total cost averages around $133 per person.
The oral vaccine (sold as Vivotif) is a series of four capsules taken every other day. It’s approved for ages 6 and older. The last capsule needs to be taken at least one week before travel. It averages about $81 per person, making it the cheaper option. Because it’s a live vaccine, it’s not suitable for people with weakened immune systems.
Both vaccines work well, and the CDC considers either one an appropriate choice when there are no contraindications.
How Far in Advance to Plan
Timing matters. The injectable vaccine needs at least two weeks before departure to build protection. The oral series takes about a week of dosing (four capsules on alternating days) and should be completed at least one week before you leave. That means you realistically need to start the oral version about two weeks out as well.
If your trip is more than a few days away, you have time. But don’t wait until the last minute. Pharmacies can run out of stock, travel clinics may have limited appointment availability during peak travel seasons, and you want full protection before you board the plane.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Many health insurance plans provide little or no coverage for travel vaccines, including typhoid. The CDC notes that travelers often must pay out of pocket for pre-travel immunizations and medications. That said, some plans do reimburse part or all of the cost, so it’s worth calling your insurer before your appointment.
If you’re paying out of pocket, expect to spend roughly $80 to $135 depending on which vaccine you choose and where you get it. Pharmacies tend to run $25 to $30 less than clinics for the injectable version. The oral capsules are the most budget-friendly option overall, averaging about $80 at a pharmacy.
How Long Protection Lasts
Neither vaccine provides lifelong immunity. The injectable vaccine is recommended to be boosted every two years if you continue to be at risk, such as through repeated travel to areas where typhoid is common. The oral vaccine series should be repeated every five years. If it’s been longer than that since your last dose and you’re planning another trip to a high-risk area, you’ll need to get vaccinated again.
It’s also worth knowing that no typhoid vaccine is 100% effective. Even after vaccination, you should still be careful with food and water in areas where typhoid spreads. Stick to bottled or boiled water, avoid raw foods from street vendors, and eat fruits you can peel yourself.