Oral cholera vaccine
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| Vaccine description | |
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| Target disease | Cholera |
| Type | Killed/Inactivated |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Dukoral, Vaxchora, other |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information |
| Pregnancy category |
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| ATC code | |
| Identifiers | |
| ChemSpider |
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Cholera vaccines are vaccines that are effective at preventing cholera. For the first six months after vaccination they provide about 85% protection, which decreases to 50% or 60% during the first year. After two years the level of protection decreases to less than 50% . When enough of the population is immunized, it may protect those who have not been immunized (known as herd immunity).
The World Health Organization recommends the use of cholera vaccines in combination with other measures among those at high risk. With the oral vaccine, two or three doses are typically recommended. A single dose vaccine is avaliable for those traveling to an area were cholera is common. In some countries an injectable cholera vaccine is available.
The available types of oral vaccine are generally safe. Mild abdominal pain or diarrhea may occur. They are safe in pregnancy and in those with poor immune function. They are licensed for use in more than 60 countries. In countries where the disease is common, the vaccine appears to be cost effective.
The first vaccines used against cholera were developed in the late 1800s. They were the first widely used vaccine that was made in a laboratory. Oral vaccines were first introduced in the 1990s. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The cost to immunize against cholera is between 0.1 and 4.0 USD.
Oral cholera vaccines are increasingly used as an additional tool to control cholera outbreaks in combination with the traditional interventions to improve safe water supply, sanitation, handwashing and other means to improve hygiene. Since licensure of Dukoral and Shanchol, over a million doses of these vaccines have been deployed in various mass oral cholera campaigns around the world. In addition, Vietnam incorporates oral cholera vaccination in its public health programme and over 9 million doses have been administered through targeted mass vaccination or immunization of school-aged children in cholera endemic regions.
The cholera vaccine is largely used by backpackers and persons visiting locations where there is a high risk of cholera infection. However, since it does not provide 100% immunity from the disease, food hygiene precautions should also be taken into consideration when visiting an area where there is a high risk of becoming infected with cholera. Although the protection observed has been described as "moderate", herd immunity can multiply the effectiveness of vaccination. Dukoral has been licensed for children 2 years of age and older, Shanchol for children 1 year of age and older. The administration of the vaccine to adults confers additional indirect protection (herd immunity) to children.
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