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More Information about the Dukoral Oral Cholera Vaccine

A major recent breakthrough has been the development of an oral vaccine (Dukoral) which is effective against cholera. Cholera is a serious, sometimes fatal, diarrhoeal disease which can lead to the loss of up to 20 litres of your body fluid in 24 hours, so it is advisable to take the vaccination ahead of any planned trip to affected areas. Two doses are required, taken between one and six weeks apart.

Dukoral is not licensed in the UK for the prevention of travellers' diarrhoea but can protect up to 60% of people who take the vaccine from travellers' diarrhoea caused by ETEC (enterotoxinogenic E. Coli) bacteria. It is NOT a substitute for careful attention to food and water hygiene. You may also consider talking to your doctor about taking a course of antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim) with you in case of an infection which is not responding to simple rehydration measures.

In terms of side effects, Dukoral is generally well tolerated but occasionally people experience diarrheoa, abdominal cramps and/or nausea. Additional information about Dukoral is available from the Canadian Ministry of Health's Travellers Health Guide website.

Please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@doctortoday.co.uk or call us on 020 7433 1444 if you have any further questions or wish to book a travel clinic appointment.