Who should consider the cholera vaccine?
For most holidaymakers the risk of cholera is low, and the NHS notes the cholera vaccine is not recommended for most travellers. It is considered for aid and relief workers, people travelling to areas with active outbreaks or after natural disasters, and travellers with reduced stomach acid or limited access to clean water and prompt medical care. Your pharmacist will make an honest call based on where you are going and what you will be doing.
Where and how it spreads
Cholera spreads through water and food contaminated with the bacteria, typically where sanitation and clean water are lacking. The World Health Organization estimates 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera each year worldwide, overwhelmingly in regions affected by poverty, conflict or disaster rather than mainstream tourist destinations.
How the vaccine works
The cholera vaccine is taken as an oral drink, not an injection, usually in two doses spaced about one to six weeks apart for adults, completed at least a week before travel. It also gives some short-term protection against one common cause of travellers' diarrhoea. Your pharmacist will explain the schedule and how to take it at your appointment.
What to expect and water safety
Side effects are usually mild, such as an upset stomach. Because no cholera vaccine is fully protective, the mainstay for every traveller is safe water and food: sealed or boiled water, care with ice, and hot freshly cooked food. We will cover this alongside any vaccine.
Common questions
Q: Do most tourists need the cholera vaccine?
A: No. It is not recommended for most travellers and is aimed at aid workers and higher-risk trips.
Q: Is the cholera vaccine an injection?
A: No, it is taken as an oral drink, usually in two doses.
Q: When should the course be finished?
A: At least a week before travel, so book in good time.
