Cholera vaccines are vaccines that are effective at preventing cholera. For the first six months after vaccination they provide about 85 percent protection, which decreases to 50 percent or 62 percent during the first year. After two years the level of protection decreases to less than 50 percent. When enough of the population is immunized, it may protect those who have not been immunized (known as herd immunity).The World Health Organization (WHO) 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. The duration of protection is two years in adults and six months in children aged 2–5 years. A single dose vaccine is available for those traveling to an area where cholera is common. In 2010, in some countries an injectable cholera vaccine was 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 Organizations List of Essential Medicines.
As of June 2016, Vaxchora was the only FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of cholera. The Vaxchora vaccine can cost more than US$250. References
Further reading
World Health Organization (2010). The immunological basis for immunization series: module 14: cholera. World Health Organization (WHO). hdl:10665/44367. ISBN 9789241599740. Ramsay M, ed. (2013). "Chapter 14: Cholera". Immunisation against infectious disease. Public Health England. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). "Cholera". CDC Yellow Book 2020: Health Information for International Travel. New York: Oxford University Press. Cholera and enterotoxigenic escherichia coli (ETEC) travellers diarrhea vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide. Health Canada (Report). External links
"Cholera Vaccine Information Statement". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 23 October 2019. Cholera Vaccines at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)