UN authorizes updated cholera vaccine to support campaigns against surge in cases

The World Health Organization has approved a new version of a widely used cholera vaccine, called Euvichol-S, made by EuBiologics, the Associated Press reported yesterday.

The updated version is simpler, cheaper, and can be produced more quickly than the old version, the source mentioned.

The approval by WHO means that organizations like Gavi and UNICEF can now purchase the vaccine for poorer countries.

Since last January, WHO has reported more than 824,000 cholera infections, including 5,900 deaths worldwide, with the highest numbers of cases reported in the Middle East and Africa.

Cholera is an acute diarrhea disease caused by a bacteria typically spread via contaminated food or water.