As you embark on your exciting journey to explore new destinations, it's essential to prioritise your health and well-being, especially by protecting yourself against preventable diseases like cholera. Cholera is a bacterial infection that can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration due to the cholera toxin.
It spreads through contaminated food and water, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. Travellers visiting regions with limited access to clean water and proper hygiene facilities are at higher risk of contracting cholera and experiencing severe dehydration.
Choose Travelvax for the Cholera Vaccine for the Duration of Protection For Your Travels
At Travelvax, we offer comprehensive oral vaccine services to help protect you against cholera and other travel-related illnesses. We provide the cholera vaccine, including the oral cholera vaccine that helps stimulate the immune system to fight off the cholera bacteria.
Our experienced healthcare professionals will assess your travel itinerary and recommend the appropriate vaccinations based on the Australian immunisation handbook, including the inactivated oral cholera vaccine or live attenuated vaccines, and precautions to keep you safe and healthy throughout your trip.
Don't let preventable diseases like cholera spoil your travel experience. Take proactive steps to protect yourself by scheduling your appointment with Travelvax today and travel smart.
What is Cholera?
Caused by swallowing contaminated food or water, cholera, a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is especially dangerous in areas with poor sanitation and is prevalent in cholera-affected countries.
It triggers severe diarrhoea and dehydration, which can be deadly without quick treatment, leading to severe cholera infection as a result of contracting cholera.
Cholera rapidly drains fluids and disrupts electrolytes in the body, presenting as a severe disease that can lead to shock and even death if left unmanaged.
How Does the Cholera Vaccine Provide Protection?
The cholera vaccination provides protection by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies against the cholera bacterium, helping prevent cholera outbreaks and reduce the spread of diarrhoeal disease, especially in high-risk areas or developing countries. Cholera control often includes vaccinations as one of the key preventive measures to prevent cholera and protect vulnerable populations.
Oral Cholera Vaccines
Australian travellers visiting high-risk areas for cholera may receive their cholera vaccines from travel health clinics like Travelvax. The available oral cholera vaccines are the Dukoral or Vaxchora vaccines.
Dukoral is an oral inactivated vaccine that provides protection against cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae serogroups and includes protection against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (another severe diarrhoeal disease).
Vaxchora is a live attenuated oral vaccine used to protect against cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 and is a single-dose vaccine that effectively protects against cholera for travellers to high-risk areas.
The General Benefits of Oral Cholera Vaccine
Oral vaccines offer several benefits, including ease of administration without the need for needles, making them suitable for mass vaccination campaigns and reducing the risk of needle-related injuries, especially in areas with endemic cholera. Additionally, oral vaccines can stimulate both local and systemic immunity, protecting the site of infection and throughout the body.
Cholera Vaccination Schedule
For children aged 2 and school-aged children aged 6, they should get 3 doses of the cholera vaccine with 1 to 6 weeks between each dose.
Adults and children aged 6 years and older should get 2 doses of the cholera vaccine with 1 to 6 weeks between each dose.
If the time between doses is more than 6 weeks, you'll need to restart the vaccination course.
Please note: You may not receive the live cholera vaccine if you are allergic to its ingredients, have had recent abdominal pain or travellers' diarrhoea, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. It's important to discuss your specific situation with your Travelvax professional to determine if the vaccine is suitable for you.
Schedule Your Cholera Vaccine with Travelvax
Ensure a worry-free travel experience by getting your cholera vaccination at Travelvax today. Don't let preventable diseases disrupt your journey—take proactive steps to protect yourself and ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure. Contact us now to schedule your vaccination and travel with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cholera be prevented by vaccination?
Yes, the cholera disease can be prevented by vaccination.
What are the cholera symptoms?
Cholera symptoms typically include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and leg cramps.
Can breastfeeding women take the cholera vaccine?
According to the Australian immunisation handbook, it's best to avoid the live attenuated cholera vaccine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your Travelvax professional about the inactivated oral cholera vaccine to see if this is suitable for you.