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
Discard if vaccine has been frozen.