World Health Organization: Resumption of Cholera Vaccination Programs
WHO Announces Resumption of Global Cholera Vaccination Programs
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the resumption of global cholera vaccination programs after a pause of approximately four years due to a severe vaccine shortage.
According to a joint statement released on Friday by the WHO, the Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi, and UNICEF, global stocks of oral cholera vaccines have seen a significant improvement, reaching around 70 million doses over the past year.
The first distribution of doses, totaling 20 million vaccines, has already begun:
- 3.6 million doses for Mozambique,
- 6.1 million doses for the Democratic Republic of Congo,
- 10.3 million doses for Bangladesh.
The beneficiary countries were selected based on the criteria set forth by the global cholera working group to ensure a fair and transparent distribution.
While the oral vaccine is considered safe and effective, agencies emphasize that vaccination is only one part of the response. Cholera, which is transmitted through contaminated water and food, has caused over 600,000 cases and approximately 7,600 deaths in 33 countries over the past year, numbers that are likely underreported.
Long-term investments in infrastructure and health surveillance remain crucial for the sustainable eradication of the disease.
