Does Dukoral really work? Is it worthwhile?
Dukoral is an oral vaccine marketed as a way of protecting travellers from diarrhea. It is licensed too as a cholera vaccine. Should travel clinics be recommending Dukoral?
As a cholera vaccine, it is quite effective. As a diarrhea vaccine, it isn't. The risk of contracting cholera for Canadian travellers is very low. Most authorities agree that it is not necessary to immunize travellers against cholera except in special circumstances.
Diarrhea on the other hand is very common. While generally not a serious illness, a good vaccine to protect against it would be welcome. Dukoral however is much less effective than other vaccines used in Canada.
A reliable source of information on vaccines is the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel. This is an advisory committee of the Public Health Agency of Canada. CATMAT produces statements on a various travel medicine topics designed primarily for use by travel medicine providers but available to the public. A statement was published in 2015 on travellers' diarrhea. The committee's conclusion was that Dukoral should not be routinely recommended. You can read the statement on travellers' diarrhea online.
Dukoral is an oral vaccine marketed as a way of protecting travellers from diarrhea. It is licensed too as a cholera vaccine. Should travel clinics be recommending Dukoral?
As a cholera vaccine, it is quite effective. As a diarrhea vaccine, it isn't. The risk of contracting cholera for Canadian travellers is very low. Most authorities agree that it is not necessary to immunize travellers against cholera except in special circumstances.
Diarrhea on the other hand is very common. While generally not a serious illness, a good vaccine to protect against it would be welcome. Dukoral however is much less effective than other vaccines used in Canada.
A reliable source of information on vaccines is the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel. This is an advisory committee of the Public Health Agency of Canada. CATMAT produces statements on a various travel medicine topics designed primarily for use by travel medicine providers but available to the public. A statement was published in 2015 on travellers' diarrhea. The committee's conclusion was that Dukoral should not be routinely recommended. You can read the statement on travellers' diarrhea online.