The World Health Organization WHO prequalified the Euvichol-S cholera vaccine on April 19, to overcome the vaccine scarcity.
According to WHO, the new vaccine is administered orally and is as effective as current types but has a simpler formula. This is the third type of cholera to be included in the pre-qualification list, preceded by Euvichol and Euvichol-Plus.
The agency expects the new vaccine will help increase production capacity, thereby supporting disease control and overcoming the global cholera vaccine shortage that has lasted since October 2022. Currently, the global stockpile has about 2.3 million doses, with an estimated total of 50 million doses in 2024.
Pre-qualification means the vaccine meets WHO standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness. Based on the WHO’s pre-qualification list, United Nations agencies such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) can purchase to supply to many countries.
The number of cholera cases has increased globally since January 2023 with more than 824,000 cases and 5,900 deaths. The Middle East and Africa have the highest number of cholera patients. The WHO explains that the cause of the outbreak is increased global temperatures, causing disease-causing bacteria to live longer, and recorded the highest death rate from cholera in a decade.
African children receive cholera vaccine. Image: Reuters
In January 2024, countries with outbreaks requested about 79 million doses of vaccine, but stockpiles continued to run out. The world used to have two cholera vaccine manufacturers, including Shantha Biotechnics (India) and EuBiologics (Korea), but Shantha Biotechnics stopped producing cholera vaccines from the end of 2022, leaving the world with only one supplier, leading to a supply shortage. not enough demand.
Currently, Vietnam uses the mORCVAX cholera vaccine, which is highly effective in disease prevention and is researched and produced domestically. The vaccine is used orally for children from 2 years old and adults, consisting of 2 doses taken 14 days apart, repeated after 2 years or before epidemic seasons.
Analyzing more about cholera, Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC Vaccination System, said this is an acute infectious disease in the digestive tract caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Bacteria infect the body through contaminated drinking water and food, causing symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. If not treated promptly, the disease will cause electrolyte disorders, dehydration, and severe shock leading to death.
The source of cholera transmission can be from infected people, healthy people carrying the bacteria or natural reservoirs in fish, crabs… In which, people carrying cholera bacteria may not show symptoms, and are also a difficult source of transmission. control. The Department of Preventive Health, citing information from WHO, said that about 75% of asymptomatic groups eliminate bacteria into the environment within 7-14 days. After a cholera epidemic, about 3-5% of patients are likely to carry the bacteria for a few months, sometimes for years if not treated properly.
Therefore, Doctor Chinh believes that vaccines are very important in preventing and fighting diseases. Having an additional cholera vaccine is especially meaningful in the context of a global disease outbreak, high risk of infection, and many countries lacking disease control tools.
Chile (Theo WHO, AP)
VNVC currently has more than 170 centers nationwide, fully equipped with more than 40 types of vaccines to prevent nearly 50 infectious diseases in children and adults, including cholera vaccines. Vaccination customers at VNVC or people can look up vaccination history, learn about suitable vaccines and many important information about vaccination through the Mobile App “VNVC – Vaccination Assistant” to get the necessary information. Complete, scientific information, don’t miss your injection schedule and receive many incentives.