Post a Comment Print Share on Facebook

WHO warns of outbreaks due to vaccine shortages

Because of numerous cholera outbreaks and a global shortage of vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) is temporarily recommending just one cholera vaccine dose instead of two.

- 11 reads.

WHO warns of outbreaks due to vaccine shortages

Because of numerous cholera outbreaks and a global shortage of vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) is temporarily recommending just one cholera vaccine dose instead of two. "This change in strategy makes it possible to deliver doses to more countries at the time of an unprecedented increase in the outbreaks of infection worldwide," the WHO said in Geneva on Wednesday. Cholera outbreaks have been reported in 29 countries since the beginning of the year, including Haiti and Syria. The epidemics of gastrointestinal infection were becoming more frequent and severe.

Cholera is a bacterial infection transmitted by contaminated water that affects the intestinal tract and causes symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration and fatigue. The disease can be fatal if not treated in time. To avoid outbreaks of cholera, the supply of clean drinking water and clean sanitary facilities are crucial.

According to the WHO, floods, droughts and conflicts are increasingly preventing people from having access to clean drinking water and toilets. As a result, cholera epidemics are becoming “more frequent, widespread and severe,” the UN organization said.

Since the beginning of the year, outbreaks have been reported in 29 countries, particularly severe ones in the Caribbean country of Haiti, East African Malawi and Syria. According to the WHO, fewer than 20 cholera outbreaks have been registered on average over the past five years.

The WHO, which is part of the International Coordinating Group (ICG) for emergency vaccine distribution, said the strategy of a one-off cholera vaccination had "proven to be effective". However, it is unclear how long the protection against infection lasts with just one vaccination. In addition, children seem to be significantly less protected against the infection with just one cholera vaccination than with two doses.

According to the WHO, two cholera vaccinations within a period of six months provide protection for three years. Even if the temporary switch to only one vaccine dose reduces and shortens immunity, this strategy is preferable in view of the broader protection of vulnerable populations in the event of insufficient vaccine.

Cholera vaccine is currently in extremely short supply. According to the WHO, 24 million doses of the 36 million doses to be produced this year have already been delivered. 83 percent of this was used to respond to cholera outbreaks, and the remaining 17 percent were used in preventive cholera vaccination campaigns. The ICG has approved vaccine doses for second vaccinations for four countries.

Since vaccine manufacturers have already reached their current capacity limit, there is “no short-term solution to increase production,” the WHO said. One of a number of reasons for the current bottlenecks is the decision of an Indian vaccine manufacturer, which belongs to the French Sanofi group, to stop producing cholera vaccines by the end of the year.

Médecins Sans Frontières, which is also part of the ICG, said switching to just one dose of cholera vaccine was a "decision of last resort". It prevents those responsible from being forced into the decision to "send the doses to one country or the other," explained Daniela Garone of Doctors Without Borders. However, the restriction should only be a short-term emergency solution.

Avatar
Your Name
Post a Comment
Characters Left:
Your comment has been forwarded to the administrator for approval.×
Warning! Will constitute a criminal offense, illegal, threatening, offensive, insulting and swearing, derogatory, defamatory, vulgar, pornographic, indecent, personality rights, damaging or similar nature in the nature of all kinds of financial content, legal, criminal and administrative responsibility for the content of the sender member / members are belong.