Appendix 9. Oral cholera vaccine O1 and O139

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    Indications

    • Prevention of cholera in epidemic, endemic or humanitarian emergency contexts

    Composition, forms and strengths, route of administration

    • Inactivated whole cell bivalent vaccine containing Vibrio cholerae O1 (serotypes Inaba and Ogawa, and biotypes classical and El Tor) and Vibrio cholerae O139
    • Oral suspension, 1.5 ml in monodose vial. DO NOT ADMINISTER BY PARENTERAL ROUTE.

    Dosage and vaccination schedule

    • Child 1 year and over and adult: 2 doses of 1.5 ml administered at least 14 days apart
    • In certain contexts, a single dose of 1.5 ml is administered.
    • Shake the vial, squirt the entire contents of the vial into the mouth.

     

    For young children, the contents of the vial can be drawn up in a syringe and squirted into the mouth.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to children less than one year.
    • Do not administer in the event of hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or history of an allergic reaction to a previous dose.
    • Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness (minor infections are not contra-indications).
    • May cause: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhoea.
    • Drinking water after swallowing the vaccine may reduce its unpleasant taste and prevent vomiting. If the patient vomits the dose of vaccine, wait for 10 minutes and re-administer the same dose and follow with a larger volume of water.
    • Pregnancy: can be administered (the benefits outweigh the risks)
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • Immunity develops one week after administration and lasts up to 6 months after a single dose and at least 3 years after 2 doses.

    Storage

     
       Between 2 °C and 8 °C. Do not freeze.
    Discard if vaccine has been frozen.