Typhoid Vaccination
in Singapore
What the typhoid vaccine is, who needs it before travel, and how long it lasts. Mediway Medical Centre offers a pre-travel consultation at Clarke Quay and refers you to a specialised travel clinic for the typhoid jab.
The typhoid vaccine protects against typhoid fever, an infection spread through contaminated food and water. It is recommended before travel to regions where typhoid is common. Mediway Medical Centre, a GP clinic at Clarke Quay, offers a pre-travel consultation to advise which vaccines you need, and refers you to a specialised travel clinic for the typhoid vaccine. We administer Hepatitis A and B on-site.
Where to get the typhoid vaccine
Mediway does not administer the typhoid vaccine on-site. We provide pre-travel guidance on the vaccines your trip needs and refer you to a specialised travel clinic for typhoid. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are given here at Mediway.
A pre-travel consultation ($38, GST inclusive) with our doctor reviews your destination and history and tells you what you need and where to get it. Plan it 4 to 6 weeks before you travel.
What Is the Typhoid Vaccine?
The typhoid vaccine helps the body build protection against Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. The vaccine used in Singapore travel clinics is the injectable Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine, known as Typhim Vi, given as a single injection into the upper arm.
Typhoid fever is usually spread through food or water contaminated with the bacteria. The World Health Organization estimates that, as of 2019, about 9 million people fall ill with typhoid and 110,000 die from it each year, mostly in regions where access to safe water and sanitation is limited.
Vaccination lowers the risk but does not replace safe eating and drinking habits. HealthHub, from Singapore's Ministry of Health, notes the vaccine may not be fully protective, so travellers should still avoid untreated water and high-risk foods.
Who Needs Typhoid Vaccination?
Typhoid vaccination is recommended mainly for travel. Consider it if you are:
- Travelling to regions where typhoid is common: South Asia carries the highest risk (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan), followed by parts of Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
- Visiting friends and relatives in these regions, where longer trips make food and water harder to control.
- In prolonged close contact with someone known to carry the typhoid bacteria.
At a Mediway pre-travel consultation, our doctor reviews your destination, trip length and health history and advises whether typhoid vaccination, and any other travel vaccines, are appropriate for you. You can plan your other travel vaccinations at the same visit.
Typhoid Vaccine Types
Three kinds of typhoid vaccine exist worldwide. The injectable Vi polysaccharide vaccine is the one used in most Singapore travel clinics.
| Vaccine | Route | Doses | Booster | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vi polysaccharide (Typhim Vi) | Injection | 1 dose | Every 3 years if risk continues (MOH) | Adults and children from 2 years |
| Oral live attenuated (Ty21a) | Oral capsules | Course of capsules | About 5 years (CDC) | From 6 years; not for people who are immunocompromised |
| Typhoid conjugate (TCV) | Injection | 1 dose | Longer-lasting (WHO) | Used mainly in routine programmes in endemic countries |
A combined hepatitis A and typhoid injection also exists for travellers who need both. Ask at your pre-travel consultation, and the travel clinic you are referred to can advise on the combined option.
How Mediway Helps
Mediway's role is pre-travel advice and the vaccines we give on-site. For typhoid, we point you to a specialised travel clinic.
Pre-travel consultation ($38)
Our doctor reviews your destination, trip length and history, and advises which vaccines you need and where to get them. GST inclusive.
Hepatitis A and B
Two common travel vaccines are administered here at our Clarke Quay clinic during your visit.
Typhoid and other travel vaccines
Typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningococcal ACWY, cholera and yellow fever are given at a specialised travel clinic we refer you to.
Prices are subject to change and may vary depending on individual clinical needs. Please contact us for the latest pricing.
Side Effects of the Typhoid Vaccine
The injectable typhoid vaccine is generally well tolerated. Common, usually short-lived effects include:
- Injection-site reactions: pain, redness or swelling
- Headache or muscle aches
- Dizziness or mild fever
Serious allergic reactions are rare. If you notice a swollen face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after any vaccination, seek medical care immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the typhoid vaccine and travel.
01 How long does the typhoid vaccine last?
The injectable typhoid vaccine (Typhim Vi) protects for about three years. Singapore's Ministry of Health advises a booster every three years if your risk of typhoid continues, for example if you travel repeatedly to higher-risk regions. Your doctor can advise when a booster is due.
02 How soon before travel should I be vaccinated?
Plan a pre-travel consultation about four to six weeks before you travel. The typhoid vaccine takes up to one to two weeks to build protection and is given at least two weeks before departure. If your trip is sooner, it is still worth seeking advice, alongside careful food and water precautions.
03 Does Mediway give the typhoid vaccine?
No. Mediway advises you at a pre-travel consultation and refers you to a specialised travel clinic for the typhoid vaccine. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are given on-site at our Clarke Quay clinic. Your doctor will confirm what you need for your destination.
04 Does the vaccine mean I can eat and drink anything?
No. The typhoid vaccine lowers your risk but does not fully remove it, so safe food and water habits still matter. Avoid untreated tap water, ice of unknown source, and raw or undercooked food in higher-risk regions. Vaccination and hygiene work together.
05 Which typhoid vaccine is used in Singapore?
The injectable Vi polysaccharide vaccine, Typhim Vi, given as a single dose, is the standard typhoid vaccine used in Singapore travel clinics. The oral typhoid vaccine is not routinely used here. The travel clinic you are referred to will confirm suitability before vaccination.
06 Can I get hepatitis A and typhoid together?
Mediway gives hepatitis A on-site; typhoid is referred out, so the two are not given together here. A combined hepatitis A and typhoid injection exists, and the specialised travel clinic you are referred to can advise whether it suits your trip and vaccination history.
Related Services at Mediway
- HealthHub, Ministry of Health Singapore. Typhoid Vaccine (reviewed 10 January 2023). Available at healthhub.sg.
- World Health Organization. Typhoid fact sheet (30 March 2023). Available at who.int.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typhoid & Paratyphoid Fever, CDC Yellow Book (23 April 2025). Available at wwwnc.cdc.gov.