There are currently three pre-approved oral cholera vaccines. Image: Shutterstock
Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech said Tuesday that phase 3 trials of an oral cholera vaccine have shown it is safe for public use, and announced a global rollout despite supply shortages and a growing outbreak.
The company, which developed Hillchol under license from Hilleman Laboratories in Singapore, said it is marketing the vaccine with a production capacity of 200 million doses.
Bharat Biotech said in a press release that it plans to fill a global gap of 40 million doses per year with Hillchol, which can be administered to individuals above one year of age.
The WHO reported in June that 249,793 cholera cases and 2,137 deaths were reported from 25 countries in the first six months of the year, compared with 166,442 cases and 69 deaths in the same period in 2023.
The WHO also reported that 102 million oral doses of cholera vaccine have been requested by 17 countries since the beginning of 2023, almost double the 51 million doses produced during this period.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection spread by eating contaminated food or water. Often symptoms are mild or absent, but severe cases cause acute diarrhea and can be fatal within hours if left untreated.
According to the WHO, clean water, hygiene and good sanitation are essential to stop the spread of the disease.
According to the UN agency, there are currently three pre-approved oral cholera vaccines.
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First publication: Aug 27, 2024 | 1:44 PM IST