The World Health Organization (WHO) recently prequalified the Euvichol-S cholera vaccine on April 19, as part of an effort to address the ongoing global vaccine shortage. This new oral vaccine is said to be just as effective as existing options, but with a simpler formula. It marks the third type of cholera vaccine to be prequalified by the WHO, after Euvichol and Euvichol-Plus. The agency hopes that this new vaccine will increase production capacity, helping to control the disease and alleviate the global cholera vaccine shortage that has been ongoing since October 2022. Currently, the global stockpile contains about 2.3 million doses, with an estimated total of 50 million doses expected until 2024.
The requalification by the WHO means that the vaccine meets quality, safety and efficacy standards. This allows United Nations agencies such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to procure the vaccine for distribution in many countries. The number of cholera cases worldwide is on the rise as of January 2023, with more than 824,000 cases and 5,900 deaths. The Middle East and Africa saw the highest number of cholera cases. The WHO has attributed the outbreak to increased global temperatures, which led to a longer lifespan of disease-causing bacteria, resulting in the highest death rate from cholera in a decade.
One country currently using an effective oral cholera vaccine is Vietnam, which produces its own mORCVAX vaccine through research and development efforts in-country. Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC Vaccination System in Vietnam notes that cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria that can enter through contaminated water or food leading to symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps diarrhea and vomiting. Without timely treatment it can lead to electrolyte imbalance dehydration severe shock potentially ending in death due to natural reservoirs in fish or crustaceans asymptomatic carriers or infected individuals may be sources of transmission Dr Chin emphasizes