What is Cholera vaccine?
Cholera can be caused by a bacterial infection, which can lead to severe and life-threatening diarrhea. Cholera can be caused by contact with food or water contaminated with Vibrio-cholerae bacteria. This vaccine is administered by administering a small amount of live cholera bacteria to your body. The bacteria cause immunity against the disease. This vaccine does not treat an infection that has already been developed. The vaccine can be used on people aged 2 to 64. The cholera vaccine is not a universal vaccine that will protect everyone from the disease.
Side effects of Cholera vaccine
If you experience symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat - seek medical assistance immediately!
Side effects of the cholera vaccination may include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- Stomach pain and loss of appetite
- Headache
- Feeling tired
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects related to vaccines; for information and help on reporting these incidents to the US Department of Health and Human Services call 1-800-822-7967.
Warnings
Wash your hands frequently for at least two weeks after receiving this vaccine, especially after using a restroom or handling foods.
Before you take this drug
If you've had an allergic reaction in the past to a cholera vaccination, you shouldn't receive this one.
Inform your physician immediately of any of the following conditions:
- A weak immune system, caused by a disease or certain medicines.
- Anyone in your family has a weakened immune system.
The cholera vaccination is not absorbed in the bloodstream and is therefore not harmful to the unborn child if it is given during pregnancy. Avoid receiving a cholera vaccination within seven days of your due date. You may find your name on a registry if you are pregnant to track the effects the cholera vaccination has on your baby. The cholera vaccination is not absorbed in the bloodstream and is therefore not harmful to nursing babies. The vaccine against cholera is not recommended for anyone under 2 years of age or over 64 years.
How to take Cholera vaccine?
The cholera vaccine is typically given as a single oral dose. The vaccine is a powder that is mixed with water and then taken. This mixture will be given to you in a hospital or clinic. If you need a booster, follow your doctor's advice. It is important to time this vaccination correctly for maximum effectiveness. This vaccine is best given 10 days prior to travelling to a cholera-affected area. Wash your hands frequently, especially after using a toilet or touching food, for at least two weeks after receiving the cholera vaccination. Avoid drinking soft drinks or water from unsealed bottles or cans when traveling through an area affected by cholera. Ice cubes made with water that was not bottled should be avoided. When brushing teeth and cleaning the areas where food preparation and serving take place, use bottled water. If you can't find bottled water, follow the instructions of the World Health Organisation or the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on how to disinfect water from the tap or another source.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Vaccination:
One dose orally at least 10 days prior to exposure to cholera
Comments:
The effectiveness of the drug has not been proven in people living in areas affected by cholera.
The effectiveness of the vaccine has not been proven in people who have immunity to V. Cholerae due to exposure to or vaccination against cholera.
This vaccine does not protect against V. Cholerae serogroup O139 or any other serogroups that aren't O1.
Use: Immunisation against Vibrio-cholerae serogroups O1 and 18- to 64-year-old adults travelling to areas affected by cholera.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You are unlikely to have a schedule for cholera vaccination, as it is only given once.
What happens if I overdose?
A cholera vaccination administered by a health professional in a medical environment is unlikely to cause an overdose.
What should be avoided?
Eat or drink nothing for 1 hour prior to or 1 hour following the vaccination. Live cholera bacteria may pass through your faeces for at least seven days following the vaccination. Do not allow your body fluids or surfaces to come into contact with them during this period. Avoid contacting anyone with a weak immune response.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor all of the medications you've taken recently, including:
- Anti-microbial
- Chloroquine.
Do not wait - inform your physician immediately of any medications or treatments prescribed, such as:
- Steroids (oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable);
- If you have a condition such as psoriasis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another autoimmune disorder, then medications may be prescribed to treat it.
- Medicines to treat or prevent transplant rejection
You may have to wait to get the cholera vaccination if you are taking any of these drugs. This list is incomplete. This list is not complete. This medication guide does not list all potential interactions.
