What are the recommendations for use of the new oral cholera vaccine?

Q:  What are the recommendations for use of the new oral cholera vaccine?

A: CVD 103-HgR (Vaxchora, PaxVax) cholera vaccine was approved by the FDA in June 2016. ACIP has not yet published recommendations for Vaxchora. However, at the June 2016 meeting, ACIP voted to recommend vaccination for adults 18 through 64 years old traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. An area of active cholera transmission is defined as a province, state or other administrative subdivision within a country with endemic or epidemic cholera caused by toxigenic V. cholerae O1 and includes areas with cholera activity within the last one year that are prone to recurrence of cholera epidemics; it does not include areas where rare sporadic cases have been reported. No country or territory currently requires vaccination against cholera as a condition for entry.

In addition to vaccination, all travelers to cholera-affected areas should follow safe food and water precautions, and proper sanitation and personal hygiene measures, as primary prevention strategies against cholera infection. Travelers who develop severe diarrhea should promptly seek medical attention for rehydration therapy.