Cholera is a water-borne infection, common in the Middle East, South America, Africa and Asia, which causes severe diarrhoea. The vaccine is taken as a drink and is recommended for people travelling to areas with widespread cholera or where a recent outbreak has been reported.
Adults and children aged over 6 years take two doses of oral vaccine with a 1-6 week interval between doses. Cholera vaccine is given as a drink in two separate doses. Food and drink must be avoided 1 hour before and 1 hour after taking the vaccination. The vaccine can be given at the same time as other injected vaccines.
Children aged 2-6 years need three doses of the vaccine with a 1-6 week interval between the doses. If more than 6 weeks elapse between doses then the whole course must be restarted.
