Cholera (Dukoral) Vaccine

Cholera is a serious intestinal infection caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria which is found in the feces of an infected person. Cholera can be transmitted by drinking contaminated water or eating food contaminated by the bacteria. Cholera is mainly found in areas where there are poor sanitation or hygiene practices.

Dukoral vaccine prevents infection by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and heat-labile enterotoxigenic E coli diarrhea in adults and children two years of age and older. The vaccine is recommended for travel to areas where there is a risk of infection. Protection usually begins about one week after the last dose is taken.

The Dukoral vaccine is safe for use by mothers who are breast feeding and also for older adults. The vaccine may be given to people with compromised immune systems but the vaccine may not provide the same level of protection as it would for a person with a healthy immune system.

Protection against diarrhea caused by E coli lasts about three months. Cholera protection lasts approximately two years for adults and six years and older, protection for children two to six lasts about six months.

Protection for diarrhea caused by E coli can be renewed with a single dose of Dukoral if the last dose was taken three months to five years prior. Protection against cholera can be renewed with a single dose if the last dose was taken within the last two to five years for adults and children six years of age and older; for children two years to six years the last dose must have been taken within the last six months to five years.