Vivotif

This vaccine is used to help prevent infection (typhoid fever) caused by a certain bacteria (Salmonella typhi). People can get this infection by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. This vaccine is recommended for people older than 6 years who are traveling to areas where typhoid fever is common (such as countries in Central and South America, Africa, Asia), who are exposed to someone with persistent typhoid infection, or who work with the bacteria in a laboratory.

Typhoid vaccine contains live bacteria that have been weakened. It works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the bacteria that cause typhoid fever.

Read all vaccine information available from your health care professional before taking the vaccine. If you have any questions, ask your health care professional.

Before taking each dose, inspect the foil blister pack to make sure it is completely sealed. Carefully open the blister pack and inspect the capsule to make sure it is not damaged. Consult your health care professional if the foil blister pack or capsule is damaged.

Take this medication by mouth without food, usually every other day for 4 doses or as directed by your health care professional. Swallow the capsule whole with cold or barely warm liquid about 1 hour before a meal. Place the capsule in your mouth and swallow with the liquid right away. Do not chew, crush, or hold the capsule in your mouth.

Follow the dosing schedule closely for the vaccine to be most effective. To help you remember, mark your calendar to keep track of when to take your next dose. You should complete your course of the vaccine at least 1 week before possible exposure to typhoid fever.

You may need a booster vaccine if you still remain at risk for typhoid fever after 5 years. Ask your health care professional for more details.

This vaccine should not be taken at the same time as other vaccines taken by mouth (such as cholera vaccine). Ask the health care professional for more details.

Nausea may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, tell health care professional promptly.

Remember that your health care professional has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact health care professional.

Contact the health care professional for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may call the Vaccine Safety Section at Public Health Agency of Canada at 1-866-844-0018.

Before taking the typhoid vaccine, tell your health care professional if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your health care professional for more details.

Before taking this vaccine, tell your health care professional your medical history, especially of: current fever/illness, current stomach problems (such as persistent diarrhea/vomiting), immune system disorders (such as due to HIV infection, certain cancers such as leukemia/lymphoma, cancer or radiation treatment).

During pregnancy, this vaccine should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your health care professional.

It is unknown if this vaccine passes into breast milk. Consult your health care professional before breast-feeding.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Protect from light and moisture. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your health care professional. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this vaccine include: antibiotics (such as sulfonamides like sulfamethoxazole), drugs that weaken the immune system (such as abatacept, tacrolimus, cancer chemotherapy, corticosteroids such as prednisone), proguanil.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

For the best possible benefit, it is important to take each scheduled dose of this vaccine as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your health care professional right away to establish a new dosing schedule.

Do not share this vaccine with others.

As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not fully protect everyone who receives it. While traveling, you should still take precautions to avoid contact with contaminated food or water (such as by drinking only bottled or boiled water, eating only fully-cooked food). Ask your health care professional for more information.