The World Health Organization approves a simplified cholera vaccine in the face of shortages The world and science

The World Health Organization announced today, Friday (19), that it has approved a simplified version of the oral cholera vaccine, to increase production and confront the increase in the number of cases.

The WHO stated that the Euvichol-S vaccine is a simplified formulation of Euvichol-Plus, with fewer compounds, allowing large quantities to be produced more quickly. The compound is produced by the South Korean group EuBiologics and has an effectiveness comparable to more complex formulations.

“The new vaccine is the third product from the same family of vaccines we have against cholera on the WHO pre-qualification list,” said Rogerio Gaspar, Director of the Regulatory Department of the United Nations Health Agency.

Cholera is transmitted by bacteria transmitted through contaminated water or food and causes diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration that may be fatal, especially in children. In recent years, there has been an explosion in infections around the world, with the number of cases reaching 473,000 in 2022, double the number in 2021. According to preliminary data, there were 700,000 cases in 2023.

Although global supplies of vaccines have doubled over the past decade, growing demand has led to shortages, and 23 countries are currently reporting cases of cholera.

To address the increase in cases, the World Health Organization has begun recommending one dose of the vaccine, instead of two.