Cholera vaccine

About cholera

Cholera is a severe infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The typical symptoms include intense diarrhoea and vomiting, which quickly lead to dehydration. This can result in electrolyte imbalances, acute kidney failure – and even death. The infection is usually transmitted by contaminated food and water. Consequently, vaccination against cholera is recommended before travelling to areas with an increased risk of infection such as Africa, Asia, and Central America. Important: getting vaccinated isn’t enough on its own. It iinst tlys essential to strictly follow hygiene rules and ensure that food comes from reliable sources.

Who should be vaccinated

Vaccination against cholera is recommended for:

• people who travel to territories where the disease is endemic, e.g. Africa, Asia, Central America, or plan to spend a longer period of time there;
• people who are at risk because of the nature of their work, e.g. laboratory staff;
• medical staff and other emergency services delegated to areas where cholera is endemic.

Who is the vaccine for

The purpose of the vaccination against cholera is to produce a strong immune response in adults and children over 2 years of age.

The inactivated cholera vaccine appears to be effective against E. coli strains, likely due to cross-reactivity with cholera toxin, given their structural and immunological similarities.

Vaccination procedure

The vaccine is administered orally, and the number of doses (as well as the interval between them) depends on the age of the person receiving it.

Inactivated vaccine

• Adults and children from the age of 6 are administered 2 doses at intervals of at least one week;
• Children aged 2 to 6 years are administered 3 doses at intervals of at least one week.

It is important to complete the full course of vaccination at least one week before any potential exposure.

How long does the vaccine provide protection?

In adults and children over the age of 6, the immune response typically lasts for about 2 years. To maintain protection in this age group, a single booster dose is recommended within 2 years of completing the primary vaccination series. For children between the ages of 2 and 6, a booster dose is given 6 months after the final primary dose. While clinical data on the effectiveness of booster doses is limited, immunological studies support administering a single booster 2 years after the last vaccination.

The primary vaccination series should be repeated if more than 2 years have passed since the last dose.

What does the vaccine contain?

The vaccine contains inactivated Vibrio cholerae bacterial strains.

The vaccination may cause side effects.

The most commonly reported side effects are:

• gastrointestinal disorders (stomach aches and spasms, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting);
• headaches;
• feeling unwell;
• fever.

Contraindications to vaccination include:

• hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine;
• severe gastrointestinal disorders – vaccination should be postponed in such cases;
• severe illness accompanied by fever – vaccination should be postponed in such cases.

IMPORTANT! Please make an appointment with a travel medicine doctor at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure. If your health plan does not include an appointment with a travel medicine physician, you should purchase the qualification separately.

Make sure you book your vaccination appointment within 3 months of the date shown on your order confirmation.

IMPORTANT! Vaccination requires qualification with a travel medicine doctor, during which there may be contraindications to the vaccination or the doctor will suggest a different preparation.

1. First, select the city/town and Medicover Medical Centre where you wish to be vaccinated.

   IMPORTANT: The vaccination does not include an appointment with a travel medicine doctor. If this is not included in the health plan, patients should purchase the qualification separately.

2. After paying for the vaccination package, please book a Vaccine Qualification appointment - this is mandatory before any vaccine is administered. The vaccination will take place immediately after the qualification appointment. Book your appointment at the reception of the Medicover Medical Centre or call the Medicover hotline on +48 500 900 505.
3. If the doctor does not qualify you for the vaccination, you will need to book a follow-up appointment on a date specified by the doctor. This follow-up appointment will be charged extra, unless it is already included in your healthcare package.