Cholera Vaccines

What to know

Cholera is spread through water and food contaminated with cholera bacteria. It can cause life-threatening watery diarrhea and vomiting. Cholera vaccines can help prevent cholera.

Child receives oral cholera vaccine

When to get vaccinated

If you are traveling ‎

Visit a doctor or travel clinic to talk about cholera vaccination if you're going to an area where cholera is present, or where the water and food are unsafe to drink and eat.

You should consider getting vaccinated against cholera if you're traveling to or living in a place where:

  • Cholera is present
  • There's a cholera outbreak
  • The water is unsafe to drink or use
  • There's a humanitarian crisis with a high risk of cholera

If vaccination is recommended, visit a doctor or travel clinic to discuss your options.

Cholera vaccines are not 100% effective. Follow CDC's cholera prevention tips to help stay safe when visiting or living in an area with cholera.

Different cholera vaccines

A woman gives a dose of oral cholera vaccine to another woman.
A woman in Haiti receives cholera vaccine to help prevent her from getting cholera. Photos: ©UNICEF/U.S.CDC/UN0771550/UN771580/Rouzier

Vaxchora

Vaxchora is the only cholera vaccine approved for use in the United States. The FDA approved Vaxchora for people ages 2-to-64 years traveling to an area where cholera is present. The vaccine, a single dose taken by mouth, should be given at least 10 days before traveling.

Vaxchora's manufacturer reports the vaccine reduces the chance of moderate and severe diarrhea in people ages 18-45 years by 90% at 10 days after vaccination, and by 80% at 3 months. It is unknown how long protection lasts beyond 3 months.

Dukora and Euvichol-Plus

Two oral cholera vaccines have been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). These vaccines are not available in the United States. They are:

  • Dukoral
  • Euvichol-Plus/Euvichol

To learn more about these vaccines, visit the World Health Organization Cholera Vaccines page.

Cholera Vaccines Approved by FDA or WHO

Cholera Vaccines Approved by FDA or WHO
Vaccine name
(Manufacturer)		 Number of doses recommended Recommended age How long vaccination is effective Available in the U.S.?
Vaxchora
(Emergent BioSolutions)		 1 dose 2-64 years At least 3–6 months Yes
Dukoral
(SBL Vaccines)		 2 doses, given 1-6 weeks apart

(Children ages 2-5 years need 3 doses, given 1-6 weeks apart)

 2 years and older 2 years No
Euvichol/Euvichol-Plus
(EuBiologics)		 2 doses, given at least 2 weeks apart 1 year and older At least 3 years for 2 doses. (One dose provides short-term protection for about one year.) No
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)