On April 19, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its prequalification of the Euvichol-S cholera vaccine, in a bid to address global vaccine scarcity. This new oral vaccine is said to be as effective as existing options but with a simpler formula. It is the third type of cholera vaccine to receive prequalification by WHO, after Euvichol and Euvichol-Plus.
The agency hopes that this new vaccine will increase production capacity and aid in disease control, alleviating the ongoing global cholera vaccine shortage since October 2022. Currently, the global stockpile contains about 2.3 million doses, with an estimated total of 50 million doses expected by 2024.
Prequalification by WHO signifies that the vaccine meets standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness. This allows United Nations agencies such as Gavi and UNICEF to procure the vaccine for distribution to many countries. The number of cholera cases has been on the rise globally since January 2023, with more than 824,000 cases and 5,900 deaths reported. The Middle East and Africa have seen the highest number of cholera patients. The WHO attributes the outbreak to increased global temperatures which has led to a longer lifespan of disease-causing bacteria resulting in the highest death rate from cholera in a decade.
Countries facing outbreaks requested around 79 million doses of vaccines in January 2024 but stockpiles continued dwindling due to one manufacturer Shantha Biotechnics ceased production at the end of 2022 leaving only one supplier contributing significantly to supply shortages. Vietnam currently utilizes mORCVAX which has proven highly effective domestically researched and produced cholera vaccines administered orally to children aged two years and above with two doses taken fourteen days apart repeated every two years or before epidemic seasons.
Dr Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director VNVC Vaccination System notes that cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria that can enter body through contaminated water and food leading symptoms such as bloating stomach cramps diarrhea vomiting without prompt treatment could lead electrolyte imbalances dehydration severe shock potentially ending life source transmission includes infected individuals asymptomatic carriers reservoirs fish crabs Dr Chinh emphasizes importance vaccines preventing controlling diseases highlighting new Euvichol S