Multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi: why should African countries move quickly toward adopting typhoid conjugate vaccine

Abstract

Africa has a high burden of typhoid fever causing significant morbidity and mortality especially among children. Over the years there has been increased development of Multi-drug and Extensively drug resistance typhoid strains in the continent which threatens typhoid treatment. This is compounded by a background that most African countries have limited diagnostic capacity, leading to high empiric use of antibiotics, and worsening of antimicrobial resistance. Access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation facilities also remains a significant challenge for most countries. In this policy brief, we encourage African countries to consider quick adoption of highly efficacious and cost-effective available typhoid conjugate vaccines.