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What is Cholera?
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Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the Vibrio choleraebacterium. It is most prevalent in regions with limited access to clean drinking water and poor sanitation, such as parts of sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and areas affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
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Cholera can cause severe, profuse watery diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Left untreated, severe cases can quickly become life-threatening.
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At Livewell Clinic Pharmacy, we offer the private Oral Cholera Vaccination Service (Dukoral®) at our Soho, London clinic to protect travellers heading to high-risk regions.
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Why Get Vaccinated Against Cholera?
While cholera is rare among standard tourists staying in well-serviced urban areas, vaccination provides essential pre-exposure protection for high-risk travel:
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High-Risk Travel Protection: Recommended for aid workers, healthcare volunteers, disaster relief staff, long-term travellers, and those visiting remote areas or active outbreak zones with limited medical care.
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Added Protection Against Traveller's Diarrhoea: Dukoral® also provides partial cross-protection against certain strains of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a leading bacterial cause of general traveller's diarrhoea.
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Painless Drinkable Vaccine: Unlike most travel vaccines, Dukoral® is administered as a pleasant-tasting oral drink rather than an injection.
Dosing Schedule & Preparation
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Dukoral® requires a specific oral dosing schedule based on age and must be completed at least 1 week before travelling to ensure immunity has built:
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Adults & Children Aged 6 Years and Over:
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Primary Course: 2 doses, taken at least 1 week apart (and less than 6 weeks apart).
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Duration of Protection: Up to 2 years. A single booster dose is recommended after 2 years if continuous protection is needed.
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Children Aged 2 to 5 Years:
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Primary Course: 3 doses, taken at least 1 week apart (and less than 6 weeks apart).
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Duration of Protection: Up to 6 months. A booster dose is recommended after 6 months if risk remains.
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Important Administration Rules:
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Avoid Food & Drink: Do NOT eat, drink, or take other oral medications for 1 hour before and 1 hour afterdrinking each dose. Food and drink increase stomach acid, which can degrade the vaccine.
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Mixing: The liquid vaccine is mixed with the supplied sodium hydrogen carbonate buffer solution in a glass of cool water right before consumption. (For children aged 2–5, half of the prepared buffer water is poured away before adding the vaccine vial).
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​​​Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Who should get the cholera vaccine?
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Vaccination is not routinely required for standard resort holidays. It is strongly advised for:
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Humanitarian aid and medical disaster-relief workers.
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Travellers visiting areas with active cholera outbreaks or refugee/crisis settings.
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Backpackers or long-term travellers visiting remote regions with poor sanitation and limited access to safe water or emergency medical care.
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Who should NOT receive Dukoral®?
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You should avoid or postpone taking Dukoral® if you:
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Have a known severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to the vaccine, formaldehyde, or any of its ingredients.
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Are currently suffering from an acute gastrointestinal illness, stomach upset, or high fever (vaccination should be delayed until fully recovered).
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Are an infant under 2 years of age.
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What are the common side effects?
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Dukoral® is very well tolerated. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild, including:
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Mild stomach discomfort or abdominal cramps
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Temporary nausea or loose stools
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Mild headache
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Does the vaccine eliminate the need for food and water precautions?
No. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease but does not offer 100% protection. Strict hygiene practices remain essential:
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Drink only sealed bottled, boiled, or chemically purified water.
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Avoid ice in drinks unless made from safe water.
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Eat freshly cooked food served piping hot, and avoid raw seafood or unpeeled fruit/vegetables.
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Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water frequently.
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Book Your Cholera Consultation & Vaccine Today
Plan ahead to ensure you complete your oral course at least one week before departure:
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Book Online: Select a convenient travel consultation appointment through our online booking system.
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Clinical Risk Assessment: Meet with our pharmacist at our Central London clinic to review your itinerary and confirm suitability.
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Receive Vaccine & Advice: Obtain your Dukoral® doses alongside expert travel health and hygiene guidance.​
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