Heading to Pakistan? Sort Your Typhoid Jab First
Visiting family this year? Quick one before you book your flights.
Typhoid is still a real risk in Pakistan — and has been since a drug-resistant (XDR) strain first emerged in Hyderabad back in 2016. It's spread through contaminated food and water, and because it's resistant to most antibiotics, treatment options are limited if you catch it. (Exact current case numbers change — check NaTHNaC/UKHSA if you want the latest data.)
Why VFR travellers (that's most of us) are more at risk
Longer stays = more exposure
Staying with family, eating/drinking exactly as they do
"I grew up eating this, I'll be fine" — doesn't actually protect you
Skipping the travel jabs because it doesn't feel like a "holiday"
Sound familiar? That's exactly the group health authorities flag as higher risk.
What to actually do
✅ Get the typhoid vaccine before you fly — ideally 2+ weeks before travel ✅ Stick to bottled/boiled water, hot fresh food, skip the ice and street salads ✅ Know the signs: prolonged fever, headache, fatigue, stomach pain ✅ Tell any doctor about your travel history if you get ill after returning
Where to get it — pick whichever's easier
Your GP surgery — some offer it on the NHS depending on your circumstances, but appointments can take a while to come round.
In a rush? Trustwell Clinic in Marple does travel vaccinations same-day, no long wait — walk in, get jabbed, get on with your packing.
Don't leave it till the week before. Sort it now, enjoy the trip properly.
General info, not personalised medical advice — check TravelHealthPro or speak to a pharmacist for guidance specific to your trip.