Vivotif is an oral vaccine that helps protect against typhoid fever, an illness caused by a type of Salmonella bacteria spread through contaminated food and water.
VIVOTIF is listed under Health Canada DIN 00885975. The product record and monograph below describe this formulation; the dose schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.
At a glance
Brand
VIVOTIF
DIN
00885975
Vaccine
Salmonella typhi Ty21a, live attenuated
Presentation
Enteric-coated capsule · oral · 5 years and older
Live vaccine
Yes
Age and suitability depend on the product, the person and the reason for vaccination. Use the planner for a starting point and confirm with a healthcare professional.
Official sources
Use the DIN to confirm this exact product in Health Canada's Drug Product Database.
A listed product may not be stocked or publicly funded.
Before and after your vaccination
Bring your immunization record if you have one, so earlier doses can be checked.
Tell the healthcare professional about a serious reaction to a previous vaccine or an ingredient, and mention any health conditions or medicines that could affect your vaccination.
After the dose, stay where you can be observed for at least 15 minutes. Tell someone right away if you feel faint or develop symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Keep a record of the vaccine name, date and dose you received.
The details below are adapted from a Pharmasist patient handout linked to the same product monograph. The current Canadian Immunization Guide determines the dose schedules shown later.
What this vaccine helps prevent
Vivotif is an oral vaccine that helps protect against typhoid fever, an illness caused by a type of Salmonella bacteria spread through contaminated food and water.
It is often recommended for people travelling for a longer time to parts of the world where typhoid is common, especially off the usual tourist routes.
It may also be recommended for people who live with or care for a typhoid carrier, or for laboratory workers who handle these bacteria.
This vaccine contains a weakened, live form of the bacteria and works by training your immune system in your intestines.
What to mention before a dose
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your immune system is weakened by a health condition or by medicines you take, since this vaccine should generally not be given in that situation.
Tell your doctor if you currently have a fever or a stomach or bowel illness; your vaccine may need to be postponed.
Tell your doctor about any antibiotics or sulfa medicines you have recently taken or are about to start, since timing matters with this vaccine.
How it is given
Swallow each capsule whole with a glass of cool or cold water. Do not chew the capsule.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach: swallow each capsule about an hour before a meal, or wait about two hours after eating before taking it.
Follow the exact spacing between capsules that your healthcare professional gives you; this vaccine only builds full protection if the capsules are spaced out correctly.
Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare professional or doctor tells you.
Important things to know
This vaccine should not be given to anyone with a weakened immune system, including people on medicines that suppress the immune system, since it contains a live organism.
Serious allergic reactions are rare with this vaccine but can happen. Know the signs of a severe allergic reaction before you start your course.
This vaccine does not guarantee complete protection against typhoid fever. Keep taking care with food and water safety when travelling, even after finishing your course.
Effects you may notice
Stomach pain can happen.
Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea) can happen.
Diarrhea can happen.
Vomiting can happen.
A mild fever can happen.
Headache can happen.
A skin rash or hives can happen.
Feeling tired, unwell, or chilled can happen.
Numbness, tingling, or dizziness can happen occasionally.
Joint or muscle aches can happen occasionally.
When to contact a healthcare professional
Contact your doctor or healthcare professional if your side effects do not go away after a few days.
Contact your doctor if you develop a fever that does not go away, or ongoing diarrhea or vomiting.
Contact your healthcare professional if you are not sure how to fit antibiotics or antimalarial medicine around your vaccine doses, or about any side effect that worries you.
When to get emergency help
Get emergency help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction: hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
Get emergency help if you develop a widespread rash along with dizziness or feeling like you might faint.
Other medicines and vaccines
Take each capsule on an empty stomach, about an hour before or two hours after a meal.
Do not drink alcohol for about an hour before or two hours after each capsule.
If you need antibiotics or sulfa medicines, tell your healthcare professional, since these can make the vaccine less effective if taken too close together; your healthcare professional can advise on spacing them out.
If you are taking malaria prevention medicine for travel, tell your healthcare professional, since some antimalarial drugs can reduce how well this vaccine works, while others are fine to take together.
Key points to remember
Mark your calendar for your vaccine capsule doses so you do not miss the correct spacing between them.
Finish your full course at least a week before you might be exposed to typhoid.
Keep taking safe food and water precautions while travelling, since no vaccine gives complete protection.
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional about this vaccine when discussing other travel vaccines or new medicines.
These are Canadian Immunization Guide schedules associated with this DIN. The right schedule depends on age, health, prior doses and reason for vaccination. Public health recommendations may differ from a product monograph's authorized schedule.
Typhoid oral (VIVOTIF) — four capsules on alternate days
4 doses
One capsule on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 from 5 years of age; repeat every 7 years while at risk.
Four capsules, one every other day, completed at least 1 week before exposure. Swallow capsules whole with cool liquid about 1 hour before a meal and keep them refrigerated. Antibiotics and some antimalarials taken around the dosing days can interfere.
General information only. A suggested date is not an appointment or a prescription; a healthcare professional confirms what you need. Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27.