For the first time in more than three years, the global supply of cholera vaccines has reached a sufficient level to allow the resumption of prevention campaigns, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Gavi announced on Wednesday February 4. A major breakthrough as the disease has experienced a global resurgence in recent years.
A first allocation of 20 million doses is being deployed for preventive campaigns, according to a joint press release. On this volume, 3.6 million doses have already been delivered to Mozambique, 6.1 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo and 10.3 million are to be transported to Bangladesh. These vaccines are financed by Gavi and distributed by Unicef.
A global shortage gradually resolved
“The resurgence of cholera cases over the past several years and the resulting unprecedented demand for vaccines have been a stark reminder that a sustainable and accessible supply of vaccines is a global public good”said Gavi Executive Director Sania Nishtar, stressing that the international community cannot “allow yourself no relaxation”.
The Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for his part thanked the South Korean laboratory EUBiologics, “currently the only manufacturer producing cholera vaccines at the scale necessary to carry out mass vaccination campaigns”. “I urge others to step up to the plate in this vital area. These vaccines will save lives”he added.
Strategies adapted to meet demand
According to UN agencies, the annual global supply of oral cholera vaccines increased from 35 million doses in 2022 to nearly 70 million in 2025. In 2022, the surge in cases caused a shortage, forcing the WHO to suspend preventive vaccination campaigns.
The International Coordination Group had also reduced the emergency vaccination schedule from two doses to just one. Despite the improvement in stocks, this strategy will remain the norm in the event of an epidemic. One dose protects for at least six months, while two doses provide protection for up to three years.
