WHO Chief Urges Urgent Action Amid Global Cholera Vaccine Shortage

By Adejugbe Pauline

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent call for increased production of cholera vaccines as the world faces a critical shortage amid a rising number of cholera outbreaks.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the widening gap between the demand and supply of cholera vaccines, warning that the global response to the crisis is severely hampered by this shortfall.

In a statement, Dr. Tedros emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that as of July 28, 2024, a staggering 307,433 cases of cholera and 2,326 deaths have been reported across 26 countries.

The UN health agency’s data underscores the urgent need for a more robust and coordinated international response to curb the spread of the disease.

“The response continues to be affected by a critical shortage of the vaccine, as demand continues to outpace supply,” Dr. Tedros said.

Since January 2023, 18 countries have requested a total of 105 million doses of cholera vaccine to combat the ongoing outbreaks.

However, only 55 million doses have been produced during the same period, leaving a significant gap that threatens to exacerbate the crisis.

The cholera crisis has been particularly devastating in regions with limited access to clean water and sanitation, where the disease spreads rapidly.