• Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by an enterotoxin produced by Vibrio cholerae that have colonized the small bowel. It is a water-borne disease, being solely transmitted through contaminated water or food (especially shellfish).

• Consider vaccination against cholera for:
• Relief or disaster aid workers.
• People with remote itineraries in areas where cholera epidemics are occurring and there is limited access to medical care.
• For up to date, country by country, information see the 'Yellow Book', and NaTHNaC websites.

In depth

• Oral inactivated cholera vaccine (Dukoral^®) is the only licensed cholera vaccine available in the UK.

In depth

• Complete course at least one week prior to departure:
• Give adults and children over 6 years old two doses (up to 6 weeks apart).
• Give children aged 2–6 years old three doses (up to 6 weeks apart).
• Restart the course if more than 6 weeks have elapsed between doses.
• Booster doses:
• Give adults and children over 6 years old a booster dose 2 years after completing the primary course.
• Give children aged 2–6 years old a booster dose 6 months after completing the primary course.
• Repeat the primary course if more than 2 years have elapsed since the last vaccination.

In depth

• Mild gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhoea, nausea) are the most commonly reported. Serious adverse events are rare.

In depth