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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
07:58
Laboratory Techniques Used to Maintain and Differentiate Biotypes of Vibrio cholerae Clinical and Environmental Isolates
Published on: May 30, 2017
Oral Cholera Vaccines as Transmission-Interrupting Tools for Cholera Control: A Narrative Review
Stéphane-Hans Bateyi Mustafa1,2, Tambwe Patrick3, Raha Zihindula Raoul4
1Department of Public Health, Free University of the Great Lakes Countries (ULPGL), Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Infection and Drug Resistance
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) offer significant protection against cholera, with two-dose regimens providing up to 81% efficacy. When integrated with WASH interventions, OCVs are crucial for cholera control and elimination efforts.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Vaccinology
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Cholera poses a substantial global health risk, affecting 1.3 billion people and frequently causing outbreaks in vulnerable settings.
- Despite advancements in case management and WASH interventions, cholera transmission persists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on the effectiveness of oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) as tools to interrupt disease transmission.
- To analyze the role of OCVs within broader cholera control strategies.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases and WHO/GTFCC publications.
- Included studies published between 2000 and 2026, encompassing various study designs and policy documents.
- Evidence was synthesized narratively, focusing on vaccine effectiveness, herd protection, and integration with WASH.
Main Results:
- Two-dose OCVs provide 66-81% protection for six months; substantial herd protection is observed with >50-70% coverage.
- Reactive vaccination campaigns can avert up to 70% of cases if deployed within one week of outbreak detection.
- Single-dose OCVs offer moderate short-term protection with faster waning; impact is context-dependent.
Conclusions:
- OCVs are most effective when rapidly deployed, strategically targeted, and integrated with WASH, surveillance, and community engagement.
- Vaccination serves as a vital catalytic intervention, complementing structural prevention for cholera control and elimination.
Keywords:
choleraherd immunityoral cholera vaccinereactive vaccinationsanitation and hygienetransmission interruptionwaterMore Related Videos
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