Vivotif Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been told Vivotif is on backorder or your pharmacy can't get it, you're not imagining things. This oral typhoid vaccine has had documented supply issues, and even though the major shortage has been resolved, finding Vivotif at a local pharmacy is still not always easy. Here's a complete update on Vivotif availability in 2026 — and what to do if you're struggling to get it.

Vivotif Shortage History: What Happened?

Vivotif was added to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) drug shortage list in December 2020. The shortage affected availability through 2021 and 2022. In January 2023, Emergent Travel Health — the manufacturer at the time — confirmed that Vivotif was back in stock and available through wholesalers.

In May 2023, Bavarian Nordic completed its acquisition of Emergent BioSolutions' travel vaccine business, including Vivotif. Since then, Bavarian Nordic has continued to grow the brand's US presence.

Is There Still a Vivotif Shortage in 2026?

No — there is no active FDA or ASHP shortage of Vivotif as of 2026. Vivotif is commercially available. Bavarian Nordic reported that Vivotif revenue grew 30% in Q3 2025 compared to the prior year, and the vaccine holds approximately a 20% share of the US typhoid vaccine market.

However, availability at individual pharmacies can still vary significantly. Vivotif is a specialty travel vaccine — not a routine prescription — and most neighborhood pharmacies don't stock it. This is a distribution gap, not a manufacturing shortage.

Why Does Vivotif Remain Hard to Find at Some Pharmacies?

Even with the shortage behind us, Vivotif availability is uneven for structural reasons:

Cold-chain requirements: Vivotif must be refrigerated continuously at 35.6°F–46.6°F. Not all pharmacies maintain dedicated cold storage for low-volume products.

Low routine demand: Typhoid vaccination is not part of the standard US immunization schedule. Most pharmacies don't justify the inventory cost for occasional demand.

Seasonal spikes: Demand surges before summer travel and the winter holiday season, temporarily depleting stock at pharmacies that do carry it.

Specialty distribution channels: Vivotif is primarily distributed through travel medicine networks — not the general wholesale channels most retail pharmacies use.

What Should You Do If You Can't Find Vivotif?

If your local pharmacy says they're out of Vivotif, don't panic. Here's your action plan:

Call travel medicine clinics. These specialize in travel vaccines and are your best bet for locating Vivotif quickly.

Ask your prescriber to order it. Travel medicine doctors can order directly from vaccine distributors and have it ready for your next appointment.

Use medfinder. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have Vivotif in stock — saving you the time of calling each one yourself.

Consider Typhim Vi. If Vivotif is unavailable and you're running short on time, Typhim Vi (injectable typhoid vaccine) is a widely available single-dose alternative.

Timing Reminder: Give Yourself Enough Time

Even if Vivotif is available, the timing requirements mean you can't leave this to the last minute. The four-dose oral series runs across Days 1, 3, 5, and 7, and you need to complete all doses at least one week before potential exposure. Start searching for Vivotif at least three to four weeks before your departure.

Need help finding Vivotif near you? medfinder can help. You can also read our tips on how to find Vivotif in stock near you.