Review of oral cholera vaccines: efficacy in young children

Abstract

Cristina Masuet Aumatell1, JM Ramon Torrell1, Jane N Zuckerman21International Health Centre, Preventive Medicine Department, Bellvitge Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; 2World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference, Research and Training in Travel Medicine, University College London Medical School, London, UKBackground: Young children are one of the most vulnerable groups who may be infected with cholera. The following literature review of the efficacy of the currently available cholera vaccines provides a clear evidence base for the clinical administration of cholera vaccine, particularly in an epidemic situation.Aim: To assess the efficacy of oral cholera vaccines in preventing cases of cholera in young children.Methods: A systematic literature review was undertaken for the period 1983 to 2011 using PubMed and the search terms “oral cholera vaccines,” “children,” and “efficacy,” limited to “clinical trials” and “human studies”.Results: Oral cholera vaccine provides an acceptable level of protection in young children, with the level of protection being greater at 12 or 24 months following immunization.Conclusions: Children exposed to a potential risk of cholera are recommended to be vaccinated with an oral cholera vaccine, irrespective of whether its constituents include the B subunit.Keywords: efficacy, oral cholera vaccine, children