Oral Cholera Vaccine Stockpile Fills-Up

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced very positive news regarding producing oral cholera vaccines (OCV).

The WHO published its multi-country cholera outbreak report, External Situation Report #22, which revealed that in December 2024, the average OCV stockpile rose to 5.9 million doses, its highest level since 2013.

As of 2025, the WHO has prequalified Dukoral®, Shanchol™, and Euvichol®, Euvichol-S OCV vaccines.

The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision manages and coordinates the provision of OCV supplies. Since the ICG's establishment in 1997, the WHO, UNICEF, and Médecins sans Frontières have facilitated over 73 million doses of OCV for 23 countries. 

However, on January 24, 2025, the WHO stated that the increased vaccine production has yet to meet growing global needs.

The WHO classified the global resurgence of cholera as a grade 3 emergency in January 2023. Last year, over 804,000 cholera cases and 5,805 related fatalities were reported from 33 countries across five WHO regions.

Nearly all cholera cases reported in the U.S. are acquired during international travel. As of January 12, 2025, there were (0) cholera cases reported in the U.S. Last year, eight cases were reported.

In the Region of the Americas, Haiti documented 10,556 cholera cases and 162 fatalities in 2024.

"For the average leisure traveler with plans for an international vacation, the risk of a cholera infection is very low, and vaccination is not always recommended," says Jeri Beales, MSN, RN. "But some people visiting areas with active cholera transmission do need the vaccine, such as humanitarian aid and medical volunteers or travelers returning to visit family where a cholera outbreak is occurring."

"Most vaccines are given as an injection in the arm, but the cholera vaccine is a liquid taken by mouth on an empty stomach as a single dose."

"The vaccine is not licensed for children under 2 years or adults 65 and older, and it may not be safe for some people with a weakened immune system to take it either."

"So before finalizing your travel plans to a country where cholera is a concern, be sure to talk to a travel health expert first," added Beales, who leads Destination Health Clinic, a Boston-area travel health provider specializing in health education and vaccination for international travelers.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most travel vaccines should be administered at least one month before departure to ensure maximum protection. Cholera vaccines are offered at most travel clinics and pharmacies in the United States.

Note: This article with vaccine expert insight was updated on Jan. 27, 2025.