WHO, Gavi, UNICEF Resume Preventive Cholera Vaccinations

The International===World Health Organization, Gavi, and UNICEF have announced the global resumption of preventive cholera vaccination programs, which were halted for nearly four years due to a vaccine shortage. The global stockpile of oral cholera vaccines has significantly improved, reaching nearly 70 million doses last year, up from 35 million doses in 2022. A first allocation of 20 million doses is now being deployed, with 3.6 million doses going to Mozambique, 6.1 million to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and 10.3 million planned for Bangladesh. These countries are prioritized due to ongoing outbreaks and vulnerabilities, such as recent flooding in Mozambique. The International===World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that this move will help break the cycle of reactive responses to cholera outbreaks. While the one-dose vaccination strategy will remain standard, two-dose campaigns will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The agencies stress that long-term solutions like clean water and sanitation are also crucial.