The cholera vaccine is used to prevent infection by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae , which is the microorganism responsible for the disease, which can be transmitted from person to person or through the consumption of contaminated water or food, resulting in severe diarrhea and loss of too much liquid.
The cholera vaccine is available in regions that have a greater chance of developing and transmitting the disease, and is not present in the vaccination schedule, for example, being indicated only in specific situations. Thus, it is important to invest in preventive measures, such as proper hand and food hygiene before preparation and consumption, for example.
When is indicated
The cholera vaccine is currently indicated only for people living in regions at risk for the disease, tourists who wish to travel to endemic places and inhabitants of regions facing a cholera outbreak, for example.
The vaccine is usually recommended from the age of 2 and should be administered according to the local recommendation, which may vary according to the environment in which cholera was checked and the risk of contracting the disease. Although the vaccine is effective, it should not replace preventive measures. Learn all about cholera.
Types of Cholera vaccine
There are currently two main types of cholera vaccine, namely:
- Dukoral, which is the most widely used oral vaccine for cholera, consists of 4 variations of the sleeping cholera bacteria and a small amount of the toxin produced by this microorganism, thus being able to stimulate the immune system and provide protection against the disease. The first dose of the vaccine is indicated for children from 2 years old, and 3 more doses are indicated with an interval of 1 to 6 weeks. In children older than 5 years and adults, it is recommended that the vaccine be administered in 2 doses with an interval of 1 to 6 weeks; Shanchol, which is also an oral cholera vaccine, consists 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 an interval of 14 days between doses, and booster is recommended after 2 years.
Both vaccines are 50 to 86% effective and full protection against the disease usually takes place 7 days after the end of the vaccination schedule.
The cholera vaccine does not normally cause side effects, however it is possible for some people to experience headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, for example. In addition, the vaccine is not recommended for people who may be hypersensitive to any of the components of the vaccine and should be postponed if the person has any condition that affects the stomach or intestine or has a fever.
How to Prevent Cholera
Prevention of cholera is mainly done through the improvement of personal hygiene measures, such as proper hand washing, for example, in addition to measures that promote safe consumption of water and food. Thus, it is important to treat drinking water, adding sodium hypochlorite to each liter of water, and washing food before preparing or consuming it. Learn more about preventing cholera.
