Preventive vaccination against cholera continues when global supply reaches a critical milestone

The global supply of cholera vaccine has now increased to a level sufficient to allow life-saving prevention campaigns to continue for the first time in more than three years, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.

Mozambique is the first country to restart preventive vaccination, following a 2022 hiatus caused by a global surge in cholera cases that fueled demand and led to shortages of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) supplies.

The preventive vaccination campaign begins amid an ongoing cholera outbreak and the aftermath of floods that have affected more than 700,000 people and displaced many. The floods disrupted health systems and damaged water systems, further increasing the risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera.

“Global vaccine shortages have forced us into a cycle of responding to cholera epidemics rather than preventing them. We are now in a stronger position to break that cycle. I thank EUBiologicks, currently the only manufacturer producing cholera vaccines at the scale needed for mass vaccination campaigns, for its efforts and I urge others to enter this vital space. This vaccine will save lives,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

The first allocation of 20 million doses is distributed for preventive campaigns. Of these, 3.6 million doses were delivered to Mozambique; 6.1 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also experiencing significant outbreaks; and the delivery of 10.3 million doses to Bangladesh is planned.

Following ongoing efforts by global agencies, manufacturers and partners, the annual global supply of OCV has doubled from 35 million doses in 2022 to nearly 70 million doses in 2025. Doses are funded by Gavi and procured and delivered to countries by UNICEF.

“The multi-year surge in cholera cases and the resulting unprecedented demand for vaccines were powerful reminders that a sustainable, accessible vaccine supply is a global public good – and that the world cannot afford complacency,” said Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, Vaccine Alliance. “We are grateful to our partners and manufacturers, especially EUBiologicks, for the cooperation that has enabled the continuation of these crucial prevention campaigns, and to Gavi’s donors, whose support enables us to fund global OCV stocks and outbreak and life-saving prevention campaigns.”

“For the first time in years, this vaccine boost will allow us to better prevent large-scale cholera emergencies,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. “Resuming preventive vaccination against cholera will protect children and help stop this highly contagious disease. But it must go hand in hand with other efforts, including better access to safe water and basic sanitation.”

The three countries were selected based on award criteria set up by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC), a partnership of more than 50 organizations, to ensure that cholera vaccines for prevention campaigns are distributed systematically, equitably and transparently.

“This milestone demonstrates the power of bringing together diverse partners to build a more robust cholera response. Preventive vaccination helps protect communities and buys critical time. However, sustained progress will depend on long-term investment in infrastructure, which requires political commitment,” said Dr. Ilesh Jani, Chair of GTFCC’s Board of Directors.

The re-establishment of preventive vaccination was made possible by the years continuous efforts and close cooperation among agencies, manufacturers and other partners to meet the continued high demand for outbreak response, expand production capacity and rationalize distribution, ensuring that limited supplies reach where the risk and public health impact is greatest.

OCV is safe and effective and is recommended for people over 1 year of age. One dose of OCV provides short-term protection of at least 6 months and can help bring an outbreak under control, while two doses provide protection against infection for longer – 3 years.

While the global supply of vaccines is constantly improving, the single-dose strategy will remain the standard for epidemic responseswith the use of two doses considered on a case-by-case basis.

Cholera: continued increase

Cholera is spread through contaminated food and water, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. It can lead to death if not treated quickly. It is found in places without safe water and sanitation, mostly in places affected by conflict and poverty.

More than 600,000 cases of cholera or acute watery diarrhea and nearly 7,600 deaths were reported to WHO from 33 countries last year, although these are underestimates because cholera remains underreported. As of 2021, global cholera cases are increasing year by year, and in 2025, there is a decline. However, cholera mortality continued to rise during the same period.

Vaccination is only one aspect of cholera prevention and response. Long-term investments in safe water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, along with disease surveillance, rapid treatment and community engagement, remain essential to prevent the outbreak and spread of epidemics and to reduce mortality in the long term.

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About Gavi, Vaccine Alliance

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half of the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country governments and donors, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. See the full list of donor governments and other leading funding organizations Gavi’s work here.

Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped vaccinate an entire generation – over 1.2 billion children – and prevented more than 20.6 million future deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 78 low-income countries. Gavi also plays a key role in improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as funding global stockpiles of vaccines against Ebola, cholera, meningococcal and yellow fever. After two decades of progress, Gavi is now focused on protecting the next generation, primarily zero-dose children who have not received a single dose of the vaccine. The Vaccine Alliance uses innovative funding and the latest technology—from drones to biometrics—to save lives, stop epidemics before they spread, and help countries move toward self-sufficiency. Learn more at www.gavi.org and connect with us at Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X and YouTube.

About UNICEF

UNICEF, the United Nations children’s agency, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially those children in the most disadvantaged positions and in hard-to-reach places. In more than 190 countries and territories, we do what it takes to help children survive, thrive and reach their potential.

For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org

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ABOUT WHO

Committed to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and supports global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal opportunity to live a safe and healthy life. We are the UN health agency that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in more than 150 locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health problems and expanding access to medicines and healthcare. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.