The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently prequalified the Euvichol-S cholera vaccine on April 19, in an effort to address the global vaccine scarcity. This new vaccine is administered orally and is said to be as effective as existing options, but with a simpler formula. It is the third type of cholera vaccine to receive prequalification by WHO, following Euvichol and Euvichol-Plus. The agency hopes that this new vaccine will increase production capacity, aiding in disease control and alleviating the global cholera vaccine shortage that has been ongoing since October 2022. Currently, the global stockpile contains about 2.3 million doses, with an estimated total of 50 million doses expected by 2024.
Prequalification by WHO signifies that the vaccine meets standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness. This allows United Nations agencies such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to procure the vaccine for distribution to many countries. The number of cholera cases has been on the rise globally since January 2023, with more than 824,000 cases and 5,900 deaths reported. The Middle East and Africa have seen the highest number of cholera patients. The WHO attributes the outbreak to increased global temperatures, which has led to a longer lifespan of disease-causing bacteria, resulting in the highest death rate from cholera in a decade.
In light of these risks, Dr. Bach Thi Chinh emphasizes the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases like cholera. With a new oral cholera vaccine now available through Vietnam’s VNVC Vaccination System, there is hope for more effective disease prevention in countries facing outbreaks and high infection risks worldwide