United States: The United Nations Health Organization (WHO) has given its approval for a new type of cholera vaccine known to reduce the growing number of cholera-related cases. Although considered a good achievement, a developing country’s already limited resources has become a major drawback for these types of initiatives.
However, it also to help address the outbreaks where the global supply of the vaccine has been infected and the developed countries are left struggling while the poor countries are scrambling to contain the epidemics.
More about the authorized vaccine by the WHO
The WHO has previously authorized EuBiologics, the company and maker of this vaccine. However, the novel formula, Euvichol-S, is a lesser complex formula using few ingredients, is less expensive and does take less time to prepare. Therefore, it is an efficient method as its predecessor.
The study in Nepal that was conducted in the late phase of the research stages showed the vaccine to be helpful in decreasing diarrheal disease.
What does the WHO’s approval mean?
According to the US News, the approval by WHO means that donor agencies such as the vaccines alliance Gavi and UNICEF could then buy it for poorer countries. According to Leila Pakkala, the director of UNICEF’s supply division, the health agency would be able to boost supplies by more than 25 percent.
As per the estimates done by Gavi, there could be around 50 million doses for the global stockpile this year, when compared with 38 million last year.
Moreover, Dr. Derrick Sim of Gavi who have said that WHO’s authorization “a lifeline for vulnerable communities around the world.”
According to the UN, the world’s global stock of vaccines was “entirely depleted” until the beginning of March. As per WHO, as of this week, there were 2.4 million available doses.
Know more about Cholera
Cholera, which normally transmits through contaminated food and water, is an acute diarrhea disease whose carrying agent is bacteria.
It can be seen mostly in regions where there is poor sanitation and a lack of clean water. However, as per the experts, the infected patients with Cholera don’t exhibit symptoms and require immediate treatment through intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
Moreover, the reports say that if the patient is left untreated, Cholera can be fatal in almost half of the cases.
According to WHO, since last January, there have been more than 824,000 cholera infection cases, where 5,900 deaths were included across the globe.
According to the resources, the highest number of infection cases come from African countries, as well as from Middle Eastern countries.