Cholera

Cholera Vaccine | Oral Cholera Vaccination | Travel Health | Allied Pharmacies

Cholera is a serious bacterial infection that causes severe watery diarrhoea and can lead to life-threatening dehydration if not treated promptly. According to the NHS, cholera is not found in the UK but is a risk in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Middle East where access to clean water and sanitation is limited.

The cholera vaccine (Dukoral) is an oral vaccine that helps protect travellers against cholera. At Allied Pharmacies, our trained pharmacists can assess your travel plans and provide the cholera vaccine as part of a comprehensive travel health consultation — no GP referral needed.

Use the postcode search below to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy offering cholera vaccination.

What Is Cholera?

Cholera is an infection caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. It is spread by drinking unclean water or eating food that has been washed in or come into contact with contaminated water. The NHS notes that shellfish from contaminated water is a particularly common source of infection.

Cholera can cause very rapid and severe dehydration due to profuse watery diarrhoea. Without treatment, severe cholera can be fatal within hours. However, with prompt rehydration treatment, most people make a full recovery.

Symptoms of Cholera

Cholera symptoms usually develop within a few days of infection. The NHS advises that symptoms may include:

• Severe, profuse watery diarrhoea (often described as "rice water" stools)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach cramps and abdominal pain
• Signs of dehydration — extreme thirst, dry mouth, dark or reduced urine, tiredness, dizziness

If you develop severe watery diarrhoea after travelling to an area where cholera is present, the NHS advises seeking medical help immediately. Dehydration from cholera can become dangerous very quickly, particularly in children and older adults.

Who Should Get the Cholera Vaccine?

The NHS states that most travellers do not need the cholera vaccine. However, it may be recommended if you are:

• Travelling to a remote area where cholera is common and access to medical care is limited
• Working as an aid worker or relief worker in an area affected by a cholera outbreak
• Travelling to areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean drinking water
• Planning an extended stay in a high-risk region

High-risk areas include parts of sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central America and the Caribbean. Your pharmacist will assess your specific travel plans and advise whether the cholera vaccine is recommended for your trip.

About the Cholera Vaccine (Dukoral)

The cholera vaccine used in the UK is called Dukoral. Unlike most vaccines, it is taken as an oral drink rather than an injection. Key facts about the vaccine:

• It is given as 2 doses, taken 1 to 6 weeks apart
• Both doses must be completed at least 1 week before travelling
• The vaccine is mixed with a buffer solution and water, then drunk as a liquid
• Protection lasts for up to 2 years after completing both doses
• A booster dose may be needed if more than 2 years have passed since your last dose
• The vaccine may be available free through the NHS at some pharmacies, depending on your local area

Dukoral also provides some protection against travellers' diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), which is a common cause of stomach upsets during travel.

How to Prevent Cholera While Travelling

In addition to vaccination, the NHS recommends the following precautions to reduce your risk of cholera and other waterborne illnesses while travelling:

• Only drink bottled water or water that has been boiled or treated with purification tablets
• Avoid ice in drinks, as it may have been made with contaminated water
• Do not eat raw or undercooked shellfish or seafood
• Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruit and any food that may have been washed in unsafe water
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before eating and after using the toilet
• Use hand sanitiser when clean water is not available

Before travelling to a cholera-risk area, it is also worth putting together a travel health kit. Your pharmacist can advise on essential items to pack, including oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets, hand sanitiser, insect repellent and any prescription medications you may need. Being prepared helps ensure you can manage minor health issues while abroad and reduces the risk of serious illness.

How Is Cholera Treated?

The NHS states that the main treatment for cholera is rehydration — replacing the fluids and salts lost through severe diarrhoea. Treatment may include:

• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — a special powder mixed with clean water that replaces lost minerals and fluids. ORS sachets are available from pharmacies and should be packed as part of your travel health kit
• Intravenous fluids — for severe cases where the patient cannot keep fluids down, hospital treatment with IV fluids may be required
• Antibiotics — may be given in severe cases to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms

With prompt rehydration, most people make a full recovery from cholera. However, without treatment, severe dehydration can be fatal within hours, particularly in young children and elderly people.

Cholera Vaccine and Travellers' Diarrhoea

The Dukoral cholera vaccine also provides some protection against travellers' diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). ETEC is one of the most common causes of travellers' diarrhoea, affecting millions of travellers each year.

While the vaccine does not protect against all causes of travellers' diarrhoea, it can help reduce the risk of ETEC-related illness. If you are travelling to areas with poor sanitation and are concerned about stomach upsets, discuss the Dukoral vaccine with your pharmacist during your travel health consultation.

How the Cholera Vaccination Service Works

Getting the cholera vaccine at Allied Pharmacies is straightforward.

• Book your consultation — contact your nearest Allied Pharmacy at least 3 to 4 weeks before travel to allow time for both doses
• Travel health assessment — your pharmacist will review your destination, itinerary, accommodation and activities to determine whether the cholera vaccine is recommended
• First dose — the vaccine is prepared as a drink and taken in the pharmacy. You should avoid eating and drinking for 1 hour before and after taking the vaccine
• Second dose — you will return 1 to 6 weeks later for your second dose to complete the course

Why Choose Allied Pharmacies?

• No GP referral required — book directly with your local pharmacy
• Trained pharmacists experienced in travel health
• Convenient high street locations near you
• Comprehensive travel health consultations covering cholera, antimalarials and other travel vaccines
• Flexible appointment times

Related Travel Health Services

Preparing for travel? You may also need:

• Antimalarials — prescription antimalarial tablets for malaria-risk countries
• Hepatitis A Vaccine — recommended for many travel destinations
• Hepatitis B Vaccine — important for travellers to certain regions
• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio Vaccine — booster recommended before international travel
• Altitude Sickness Prevention — advice and medication for high-altitude travel
• Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine — for travel to parts of Asia

Visit our full list of pharmacy services to see everything available at your nearest Allied Pharmacy.

Find a Cholera Vaccine Near You

Cholera vaccination and travel health consultations are available at participating Allied Pharmacies across the UK. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest pharmacy, check availability and book your appointment today.

For more information about cholera, visit the NHS cholera page.