VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many Vaccine Information Statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Cholera Vaccine: 

What You Need to Know

1 Why get vaccinated?

Cholera vaccine can prevent cholera.

Cholera is spread through contaminated food or 

water. It is not usually spread directly from person 

to person, but it can be spread through contact with 

the feces of an infected person. Cholera causes severe 

diarrhea and vomiting. If it isn’t treated quickly, it 

can lead to dehydration and even death.

Cholera is a risk mostly to people traveling to 

countries where the disease is common (Haiti, and 

parts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific). While it is 

rare in the United States, cholera has also occurred 

among people eating raw or undercooked seafood 

from the Gulf Coast.

Besides being vaccinated, it is important to be 

careful about what you eat and drink while traveling 

and practice good personal hygiene to help prevent 

waterborne and foodborne diseases, including 

cholera.

2 Cholera vaccine

The cholera vaccine used in the United States is an 

oral (swallowed) vaccine. Only one dose is needed. 

Booster doses are not recommended at this time.

Most travelers do not need cholera vaccine. If you 

are an adult 18 through 64 years old traveling to an 

area where people are getting infected with cholera, 

your health care provider might recommend the 

vaccine for you.

Cholera vaccine is not 100% effective against 

cholera and does not protect from other foodborne 

or waterborne diseases. Cholera vaccine is not a 

substitute for being careful about what you eat 

or drink.

3 Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of cholera vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies.

 Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or thinks she might 

be pregnant.

 Has a weakened immune system or has close 

contacts (e.g., household contacts) with a weakened 

immune system.

 Has recently taken antibiotics.

 Is taking anti-malaria drugs, or plans to start 

taking them in the next 10 days.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone cholera vaccination to a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

cholera vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the 

bathroom and before preparing or handling food. 

Cholera vaccine is a live, attenuated (weakened) 

vaccine which can be shed in stool for at least 7 days.
Office use only

4 Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Tiredness, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, 

vomiting, lack of appetite, and diarrhea can happen 

after cholera vaccine.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5 What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated 

person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a 

severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face 

and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not 

give medical advice.

6 How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s cholera website at 

www.cdc.gov/cholera

Vaccine Information Statement

Cholera Vaccine

10/30/2019