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The value of and challenges for cholera vaccines in Africa | Journal Article / Commentary | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Commentary

The value of and challenges for cholera vaccines in Africa

von Seidlein L, Jiddawi MS, Grais RF, Luquero FJ, Lucas M, Deen JL
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Abstract
The 21st century saw a shift in the cholera burden from Asia to Africa. The risk factors for cholera outbreaks in Africa are incompletely understood, and the traditional emphasis on providing safe drinking water and improving sanitation and hygiene has proven remarkably insufficient to contain outbreaks. Current killed whole-cell oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) are safe and guarantee a high level of protection for several years. OCVs have been licensed for >20 years, but their potential for preventing and control cholera outbreaks in Africa has not been realized. Although each item in the long list of technical reasons why cholera vaccination campaigns have been deferred is plausible, we believe that the biggest barrier is that populations affected by cholera outbreaks are underprivileged and lack a strong political voice. The evaluation and use of OCVs as a tool for cholera control will require a new, more compassionate, less risk-averse generation of decision makers.

Subject Area

vaccinationwater and sanitationcholeraaccess to health care

Languages

English
DOI
10.1093/infdis/jit194
Published Date
01 Nov 2013
Journal
Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 208, Issue suppl 1
Issue Date
2013-10-07
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