WHO approves new cholera vaccine to address global surge in cases

SOURCE www.foxnews.com
WHO approves a new cholera vaccine to address global surge in cases and depleted vaccine stockpiles. The vaccine is cheaper, quicker to make, and has shown to be effective in preventing the disease.

Key Points

  • WHO approved a new cholera vaccine called Euvichol-S made by EuBiologics
  • The vaccine is a simplified formula using fewer ingredients
  • Global stockpile expected to have 50 million doses this year

Pros

  • New vaccine is cheaper and quicker to make than the previous version
  • Shown to be effective in preventing cholera in late stage research
  • Donor agencies like Gavi and UNICEF can now buy it for poorer countries

Cons

  • Global vaccine stockpile was entirely depleted until March
  • More doses are needed as 14 countries have requested 79 million doses