The cholera vaccine is used to prevent infection with Vibrio cholerae, the microorganism responsible for the disease, which can be transmitted from person to person or through the consumption of contaminated food or water, causing severe diarrhea and loss of too much fluid.
The cholera vaccine is available in regions that are most likely to develop and transmit the disease, and is not included in the vaccination schedule, being indicated only in specific situations. It is therefore important to invest in preventive measures, such as good hand and food hygiene before preparation and consumption, for example.
- Vaccines available for cholera prevention are Dukoral.
- Shanchol and Euvichol and should be administered orally.
Currently, the cholera vaccine is only available to people living in areas at risk of contracting the disease, tourists who want to visit endemic areas, and people living in areas facing a cholera epidemic, for example.
The vaccine is generally recommended from age 2 and should be given according to local recommendation, which may vary depending on the environment in which cholera was controlled and the risk of contracting the disease. Although the vaccine is effective, it should not replace preventive measures. Learn all about cholera.
Currently, there are two main types of cholera vaccine
It is the most widely used oral cholera vaccine. It consists of 4 variations of sleeping cholera bacteria and a small amount of the toxin produced by this microorganism, which can stimulate the immune system and provide protection against the disease.
The first dose of the vaccine is indicated for children from 2 years of age, and an additional 3 doses are indicated with an interval of 1 to 6 weeks. In children over 5 years and adults, it is recommended that the vaccine be given in 2 doses with an interval of 1 to 6 weeks.
It is an oral cholera vaccine, composed of two specific types of inactivated vibrio cholerae, O 1 and O 139, and is recommended for children over 1 year and adults in 2 doses, with a 14-day interval between doses, and booster is recommended. after 2 years.
It is also an oral cholera vaccine, composed of two specific types of inactivated vibrio cholerae, O 1 and O 139. The vaccine can be given to people over one year of age, in two doses of vaccine, with an interval of two weeks.
Both vaccines are 50-86% effective and complete protection against the disease is usually carried out 7 days after the end of the vaccination schedule.
The cholera vaccine usually does not cause side effects, however, in some cases headaches, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps may occur.
The cholera vaccine is not recommended for people with hypersensitivity to any of the vaccine components and should be postponed if the person has a fever or a condition affecting the stomach or intestine.
Cholera prevention is mainly done through the adoption of personal hygiene measures, such as washing hands well, for example, as well as measures that promote the safe consumption of food and water. For example, it is important to treat drinking water, add sodium hypochlorite to each liter of water, and wash food before preparing or eating.
Learn more about cholera prevention.