What Is Cholera?
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It’s typically contracted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. While cholera is rare in the UK, it remains a risk in parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America—especially in areas with poor sanitation or unsafe drinking water.
The illness can develop rapidly, sometimes within hours of exposure, leading to severe dehydration due to profuse watery diarrhoea. Without prompt treatment, cholera can be life-threatening. For travellers heading to high-risk regions, understanding how to protect yourself—including getting vaccinated—is crucial.
How the Cholera Vaccine Works
The cholera vaccine available in the UK is an oral vaccine called Dukoral. Unlike many other vaccines administered via injection, Dukoral is taken by mouth in a liquid form. It contains inactivated bacteria and a component of the cholera toxin. This stimulates your body’s immune system to produce antibodies that help prevent infection if you come into contact with the cholera bacteria.
It’s worth noting that no vaccine offers 100% protection, but when combined with good hygiene and safe food and water practices, Dukoral significantly reduces your risk of becoming seriously ill.
Who Should Get the Cholera Vaccine?
The cholera vaccine isn’t routinely recommended for all travellers. However, it’s advised for certain groups, particularly those at increased risk due to their destination or planned activities. The following individuals should consider vaccination:
- Travellers visiting areas experiencing a cholera outbreak
- Humanitarian workers or volunteers in disaster-affected zones
- People heading to remote locations where medical care may be limited
- Individuals with underlying health conditions that could complicate a cholera infection
Healthcare professionals advising patients on travel health need to assess both the destination and the nature of the trip. For instance, someone backpacking off-the-beaten-track in rural Bangladesh will face a higher risk than someone staying in urban hotels with high standards of hygiene.
Dosage and Administration
Dukoral is suitable for adults and children aged two years and above. The standard course consists of two doses taken at least one week apart, but no more than six weeks apart. For full protection, the last dose should be completed at least one week before travel. Children aged 2 to 6 require a third dose for adequate immunity.
The vaccine is taken on an empty stomach, usually mixed with a buffer solution. It’s important to avoid eating or drinking for one hour before and after taking the dose to ensure maximum absorption. Travellers who plan ahead and get vaccinated in good time benefit from the most effective protection.
How Long Does Protection Last?
For adults and children over six, protection lasts for around two years. After this period, a booster dose is required to maintain immunity. For younger children, protection lasts about six months, so timing is especially important when planning family travel to high-risk areas.
If you’re a frequent traveller or often engage in humanitarian work, keeping your vaccination status current is essential. Your travel clinic can help you schedule booster doses if needed.
Possible Side Effects
Like all vaccines, Dukoral can cause side effects, although they tend to be mild and short-lived. Some people may experience tummy discomfort, nausea, or diarrhoea shortly after taking the vaccine. These symptoms usually resolve quickly and are far less severe than the disease itself.
Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare. If you’ve had previous adverse reactions to vaccines or have specific allergies, it’s important to talk this through with your travel health professional before receiving Dukoral.
Additional Preventative Measures
While the cholera vaccine provides an important layer of protection, it should always be part of a broader travel health strategy. Practising good hygiene and safe eating habits remains vital:
- Drink bottled or properly treated water
- Avoid ice in drinks unless you’re sure it’s made from safe water
- Eat food that has been thoroughly cooked and served hot
- Peel fruit and vegetables yourself
- Wash hands regularly with soap or use alcohol-based sanitiser
These steps dramatically reduce the risk of not only cholera but also other waterborne diseases such as traveller’s diarrhoea, typhoid, and hepatitis A.
Why Timing Matters
One of the most common issues travellers face is leaving vaccinations until the last minute. Since Dukoral requires at least a week between doses and another week post-vaccination for full effectiveness, early planning is essential. Ideally, you should book your appointment at least four weeks before departure to ensure adequate protection and allow time for any additional vaccines you might need.
Discussing Cholera Risk with Patients
For healthcare professionals, understanding the nuances of cholera vaccination is key to offering tailored advice. Take into account not just the country being visited, but also local outbreak reports, travel style, length of stay, and access to medical care. Resources such as NaTHNaC and WHO can help guide risk assessments.
Conversationally addressing patients’ concerns, especially around oral vaccines, side effects, and the necessity of the vaccine, can increase compliance and confidence. Many travellers are unfamiliar with cholera and may underestimate the seriousness of the disease, so a calm and informative discussion can go a long way.
Planning Ahead for Peace of Mind
Whether you’re trekking through rural Cambodia, volunteering in refugee camps, or simply exploring a new culture, protecting your health should be a top priority. The cholera vaccine offers peace of mind and practical protection against a potentially dangerous illness.
If you’re unsure whether the cholera vaccine is right for you, the best next step is to speak with a travel health specialist. They’ll assess your itinerary, discuss your health background, and recommend the most appropriate immunisations based on the latest medical guidance.
To find out more or to book your cholera vaccination, you can visit Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic and get expert advice tailored to your travel plans. A little preparation now can make all the difference later on.
