Using Typhoid Conjugate Vaccines to Prevent Disease, Promote Health Equity, and Counter Drug-Resistant Typhoid Fever

Typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) are safe, effective, and WHO-prequalified for children as young as 6 months. TCVs have the potential to prevent typhoid fever and advance health equity, while simultaneously slowing the emergence and spread of drug-resistant Salmonella Typhi strains. Typhoid fever is a serious disease that disproportionately impacts children in low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant strains of S. Typhi continue to increase worldwide. Two safe, effective, and cost-effective typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) are World Health Organization-prequalified for the prevention of typhoid fever in children as young as 6 months. Typhoid conjugate vaccines have proven effectiveness in preventing drug-resistant S. Typhi and have been deployed successfully in outbreak response and routine immunization scenarios. Broad and equitable distribution of TCVs is essential to combat the spread and potentially devastating consequences of typhoid fever. It is vital to empower decision-makers in typhoid-endemic countries to introduce TCVs and for leaders to embrace this critical tool to prevent typhoid fever, slow the spread of drug-resistant S. Typhi strains, promote health equity, and save lives.