Global cholera vaccination moves beyond outbreak response
KARACHI: Global efforts to prevent cholera have entered a new phase
as international health agencies approved the resumption of preventive oral
cholera vaccination campaigns after a pause of more than three years, with
Mozambique becoming the first country to restart the programme after receiving
3.6 million doses of the vaccine.
According to a joint announcement by
the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF,
annual global production of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) has nearly doubled —
from 35 million doses in 2022 to almost 70 million doses in 2025 — easing
shortages that had forced health authorities worldwide to largely restrict
vaccination to outbreak response. The vaccines are financed by Gavi and
procured and delivered by UNICEF through the global stockpile.
A first allocation of 20 million
doses has been approved for preventive campaigns in three high-risk countries.
Of these, around 3.6 million doses have been delivered to Mozambique, which is
battling an ongoing cholera outbreak amid the aftermath of floods that
displaced more than 700,000 people and damaged water and sanitation systems.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has received about 6.1 million doses,
while more than 10 million doses are planned for delivery to Bangladesh, both
of which continue to face significant cholera risks.
WHO said the restoration of
preventive vaccination has been made possible by sustained efforts by
manufacturers and global partners to expand production capacity and streamline
allocation mechanisms, ensuring limited supplies reach areas where the public
health impact is greatest.
Gavi Chief Executive Officer Dr
Sania Nishtar said the surge in cholera cases in recent years was a stark
reminder that sustainable and accessible vaccine supply is a global public
good. She added that donor support and collaboration with manufacturers had
been critical in restoring preventive campaigns and maintaining the global OCV
stockpile.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine
Russell said the increased supply would, for the first time in years, allow
countries to better prevent large-scale cholera emergencies. She stressed,
however, that vaccination must go hand in hand with improved access to safe
water, sanitation and hygiene to effectively curb transmission.
The three recipient countries were
selected under allocation criteria developed by the Global Task Force for
Cholera Control (GTFCC), a partnership of more than 50 organisations, to ensure
preventive vaccines are distributed systematically, equitably and transparently
based on public health risk.
Cholera, a waterborne disease that
causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration, continues to pose a major global threat,
particularly in areas affected by poverty, conflict and weak water
infrastructure. More than 600,000 cases of cholera or acute watery diarrhoea
and nearly 7,600 deaths were reported from 33 countries last year, though
experts say the true burden is likely higher.
While vaccine availability is
improving, WHO said long-term investments in water and sanitation
infrastructure, disease surveillance and rapid treatment remain essential to
reduce deaths and prevent future outbreaks.
n IV News Desk
Photos courtesy: WHO
Comments
Post a Comment