Cholera Vaccine Shortage... WHO Reduces Dosage from 2 Doses to 1 Dose

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] As cholera cases surge worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to reduce the number of vaccine doses from two to one.

On the 19th (local time), WHO issued a statement announcing that, based on the judgment of the International Coordinating Group (ICG), which manages the global emergency vaccine supply, the standard two-dose cholera vaccine will be administered as a single dose.

With cholera outbreaks rapidly spreading this year, there is a shortage of vaccines. While the number of cholera-affected countries did not exceed 20 annually over the past five years, this year cholera has broken out in 29 countries. Since March, 4,420 cholera cases have been reported in various parts of the world, including Malawi in southern Africa, as well as Haiti, Pakistan, Syria, and Lebanon.

For oral cholera vaccines, administering the second dose within six months after the first dose provides immunity lasting three years. Although immunity duration may be reduced with a single dose, its effectiveness in preventing infection for a short period has been proven. WHO explained that reducing the number of doses is a temporary measure.

WHO stated, "Out of the 36 million cholera vaccine doses expected to be produced this year, 24 million doses have already been shipped," adding, "The additional 8 million doses are already approved for use."

It further added, "It will not be possible to rapidly increase vaccine production in the short term," and "By switching from two doses to one dose, the remaining production can be allocated to vaccine supply sources until the end of this year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.