Appendix 9. Oral cholera vaccine O1 and O139

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