The World Health Organization WHO recently prequalified the Euvichol-S cholera vaccine on April 19 in order to address the shortage of cholera vaccines. This new vaccine is administered orally and is just as effective as current vaccines, but it has a simpler formula. It is the third type of cholera vaccine to be included in the prequalification list, following Euvichol and Euvichol-Plus. By adding this new vaccine to the list, the WHO hopes to increase production capacity, aiding in disease control and overcoming the global shortage of cholera vaccines that has been ongoing since October 2022.
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, the Medical Director of 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 the disease, especially during global outbreaks and high-risk situations where many countries lack disease control tools.VNVC has over 170 centers nationwide, offering a wide range of vaccines to prevent infectious diseases in both children and adults, including cholera vaccines. Customers can access information about vaccines and their vaccination history through the mobile app “VNVC – Vaccination Assistant,” ensuring they receive the necessary vaccinations on time.