Cholera Vaccination

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The diarrhea (diarrhea) can lead to severe dehydration (lack of fluids) within a few hours and can be life-threatening.

In Germany, cholera vaccination is administered as an oral vaccination using a vaccine made from killed pathogens (inactivated Vibrio cholerae WC-rBS, serovar O1, all serotypes and biovars). The protection rate is approximately 90%.

A new oral vaccine with a live vaccine (Vaxchora for children 6 years and older and adults has been licensed in 2020.

The following are the recommendations of the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute on cholera vaccination:

Indications (areas of application)

Vaccination may be given if the following criteria are met:

  • Stays in infectious areas, especially under poor hygienic conditions.
    • Cooperation in refugee aid, disaster relief, health care.
    • Travelers with chronic gastric diseases (lack of gastric acid).
    • Immunocompromised travelers
  • Requirement to provide proof of vaccination upon entry

Contraindications

  • People with acute gastrointestinal disease.
  • Persons with febrile infection
  • Allergy to the vaccine or to vaccine components (see manufacturer’s supplements).
  • There are insufficient data on the vaccine tolerance of breastfeeding mothers
  • Experience on interactions with other vaccinations are not available

Implementation

  • The above groups of people will receive two doses within six weeks before departure
  • Children (2-6 years of age) will initially receive three doses of vaccine, each one to six weeks apart

The vaccination success usually occurs one week after the last vaccination.

Shortly before and after vaccination should not eat or drink anything. Laxatives should not be taken on this day.

Efficacy

  • The protection rate is circa 85% against symptomatic courses. Protection lasts circa 6 months in children, circa 2 years in adults.
  • Vaccination protection begins one week after the 2nd vaccination.
  • Cholera vaccination must be repeated after two years to ensure continuous vaccine protection.

Possible side effects / vaccine reactions

  • Mild digestive disturbances with abdominal pain (abdominal pain) or diarrhea (diarrhea)

Other indications

  • FDA, 10 June, 2016: the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine to prevent cholera in adults (18 to 64 years of age) from serogroup O1. It is a single oral vaccination with bacteria greatly attenuated in virulence.