New Cholera Vaccine Prequalified by WHO: Enhancing Global Disease Control Amid Shortages
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently prequalified the Euvichol-S cholera vaccine on April 19, in order to address the ongoing global shortage of cholera vaccines. This new vaccine is administered orally and is just as effective as current vaccines, but it has a simpler formula. By adding this new vaccine to the list, the WHO hopes to increase production capacity and aid in disease control.
Prequalification by the WHO means that the vaccine meets the organization’s standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness. This allows United Nations agencies such as Gavi and UNICEF to purchase the vaccine for distribution to many countries. The number of cholera cases has been on the rise globally since January 2023, with over 824,000 cases and 5,900 deaths reported. The Middle East and Africa have seen the highest number of cholera cases, with the increase being attributed to rising global temperatures.
Countries experiencing outbreaks in January 2024 requested about 79 million doses of vaccine, but the stockpiles were running low. There used to be two manufacturers of cholera vaccines, but one of them stopped production, leaving only one supplier. This led to a shortage of supply due to not enough demand. Vietnam currently uses the mORCVAX cholera vaccine, which is effective in preventing the disease and is locally produced.
Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director at VNVC Vaccination System explained that cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. The disease spreads through contaminated water and food leading to symptoms like bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting .Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing and combating this disease especially during global outbreaks where many countries lack disease control tools .VNVC has over 170 centers nationwide offering a wide range of vaccines including cholera vaccines for both children and adults . Customers can access information about their vaccinations through mobile app “VNVC – Vaccination Assistant” ensuring they receive necessary vaccinations on time .
