Cholera vaccine helps protect travellers who are going to an area where there is a risk of cholera infection.
Cholera is a serious bacterial infection that is acquired from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It causes severe diarrhoea which may lead to serious fluid loss in your body.
This vaccine helps your body make antibodies (proteins that are produced by the immune system which help in fighting infection) to protect you against cholera infection.
Take Cholera vaccine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist how you should take this medicine. Different brands or preparations of this medicine may be taken differently.
Your doctor or nurse may prepare or administer this medicine in a healthcare facility.
Cholera vaccine is available as an oral suspension or powder for oral suspension.
The oral suspension may be taken directly by mouth. Your doctor or nurse may help you with this.
If you are taking the powder for oral suspension, follow these steps:
- Pour 100 mL of cool or room temperature bottled water (purified, spring or sparkling [carbonated]) into a clean, disposable cup.
- Empty the contents of the buffer component packet supplied in the carton into the cup to make a buffer solution. Stir until it dissolves. Bubbling will occur. For children aged 2 to less than 6 years, pour away half (50 mL) of the buffer solution.
- Empty the contents of the vaccine component packet into the cup containing the buffer solution. Stir for at least 30 seconds until a cloudy suspension is formed. If desired, sugar (sucrose, not more than 4 grams or 1 teaspoon) or stevia sweetener (not more than 1 gram or 1/4 teaspoon) may be added to the suspension.
- Drink the whole suspension immediately. Discard some residue that remains in the cup.
It is important that these steps are followed correctly. The medicine must be discarded if packets are prepared in an improper order.
If you take less than half of the dose, inform your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist immediately.
Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment. Follow and complete the entire course of this medicine.
Make sure you know how to take this medicine. If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Ensure that you keep your appointment with your doctor so that you do not miss a dose if you have been prescribed two doses of Cholera vaccine.
If you miss the appointment, inform your doctor or nurse.
Do not take Cholera vaccine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- weakened immune system due to a disease or due to certain medications or treatments e.g. medicines for cancer, radiation therapy
- moderate or severe illness with or without fever
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Cholera vaccine to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.
This medicine may not provide complete protection against cholera infection. Exercise proper precautions against exposure to cholera by avoiding contact with or consumption of potentially contaminated food and water.
If you have taken the live vaccine type of this medicine, the bacteria from the vaccine may be present in your stool for at least 1 week. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly after using the bathroom and before preparing or handling food for at least 2 weeks after taking this medicine.
Cholera vaccine may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, headache, dizziness, stomach pain, vomiting, cough, fever, tiredness, joint pain, lack of appetite, rash, and itching.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- antibiotics
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders
- chloroquine (medicine used to prevent or treat malaria [a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito])
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Cholera vaccine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow Cholera vaccine to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Cholera vaccine contains genetically modified organisms, follow local biosafety guidelines for the proper disposal of unused medicine or waste material. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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