After a nearly four-year pause, preventative cholera vaccination campaigns are resuming globally, a significant step forward in the fight against the deadly diarrheal disease. The resumption is possible due to a substantial increase in the global supply of oral cholera vaccine (OCV), reaching nearly 70 million doses in 2025, up from 35 million doses in 2022. This increase allows for a shift from solely responding to outbreaks to proactively protecting vulnerable populations.
The World Health Organization (WHO), along with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), announced the resumption of preventative campaigns on . The shortages that began in 2022, driven by a surge in cholera cases worldwide, had forced a difficult triage – prioritizing vaccine use only during active outbreaks rather than preventative immunization.
Mozambique is the first country to restart preventative vaccination, a particularly crucial intervention given the ongoing cholera outbreak and the recent devastating floods that impacted over 700,000 people. These floods have disrupted health systems and damaged water infrastructure, significantly increasing the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera. A first allocation of 3.6 million doses has been delivered to Mozambique to begin the preventative campaign.
Alongside Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is also experiencing significant outbreaks, will receive 6.1 million doses. An additional 10.3 million doses are planned for delivery to Bangladesh. This initial allocation of 20 million doses represents a critical first step in rebuilding preventative immunity in at-risk regions.
“Global vaccine shortages forced us into a cycle of reacting to cholera outbreaks instead of preventing them. We are now in a stronger position to break that cycle,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. This sentiment underscores the importance of a consistent vaccine supply in controlling the spread of cholera.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae, typically spread through contaminated food and water. Outbreaks are frequently linked to conditions of poverty, conflict, and climate crises, all of which can compromise access to clean water and sanitation. The disease causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps, and can be fatal if left untreated.
The increased vaccine supply is largely attributed to the efforts of EUBiologics, currently the only manufacturer producing cholera vaccines at the scale needed for mass vaccination campaigns. Dr. Tedros urged other manufacturers to enter this vital space, recognizing the ongoing need for a robust and diversified supply chain. The doses are being financed by Gavi, and procured and delivered to countries by UNICEF.
While the supply has improved, the organizations noted that, for now, a one-dose strategy will remain the standard for outbreak responses. This reflects a temporary measure implemented during the shortage to maximize the impact of limited vaccine supplies. The return to preventative campaigns signifies a broader strategy of building long-term immunity and reducing the overall burden of cholera.
In 2025, 33 countries were affected by cholera, highlighting the continued global threat posed by the disease. The resumption of preventative vaccination programs represents a renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and preventing future outbreaks. The success of these campaigns will depend on continued collaboration between global health organizations, manufacturers, and national governments to ensure equitable access to this life-saving vaccine.
