Typhoid Vaccine in Short Supply Putting Many Travelers at Risk

Typhoid vaccine in the UK is in great demand, but short in supply, and this is putting a spoke in people’s plan to head off to sunny tourist spots. Travelers going off to sunny vacations need to get immunized against typhoid and there is a big problem due to the shortage of vaccine in the UK.

Vaccine to protect against typhoid is provided free by the NHS, but many GP surgeries say they have run out of stock. The travel clinics which charge for vaccinations are also in the same position.

Typhoid is a contagious food and water-borne disease and is contracted from bacteria present in food and water. The transmission takes place through contact with feces and urine from infected people. Some of the common symptoms are fever and headache while some victims suffer intestinal bleeding and pneumonia. The condition can turn life threatening in the absence of antibiotics.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Typhoid is rare in this country and is usually associated with travel to countries where sanitation is inadequate. The vaccine is still available and we are working with manufacturers to help ensure that current supply problems are resolved as soon as possible."



Source-Medindia