The only single-dose oral cholera vaccine
Vaxchora is a live, oral cholera vaccine—a drink containing a weakened strain of Vibrio cholerae bacteria. It helps protect travellers against cholera caused by serogroup O1, usually when visiting areas where cholera is actively circulating.
Key Points
- Who it’s for: In the UK/EU, adults and children aged 2 years and over, according to official recommendations.
- Course: One oral dose, ideally at least 10 days before possible exposure.
- How it differs from Dukoral: Vaxchora is a single-dose live vaccine; Dukoral is an inactivated vaccine given as a multi-dose course.
- Common side effects: Tiredness, headache, stomach pain, nausea/vomiting, and reduced appetite.
- Important caution: Because it’s live, it generally should not be used by people with certain immune-system conditions or who are taking immune-suppressing treatment.
- Antibiotics can also interfere with it, so a travel clinic should check timing.
- It does not replace food-and-water precautions, which remain the main protection against cholera while travelling.
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Travel vaccination at Crighton pharmacy are normally given on the day of appointment, if you need further information about the service call or pop in store.