How did the world run so low on cholera vaccine? As outbreaks grow, stockpile runs dry
With cholera on the rise around the world, the global vaccine stockpile is running dry. New doses go right to active outbreaks, with none left for prevention campaigns. Can vaccine makers catch up?
The ancient disease of cholera is making a comeback in 2024 – but the world's supply of vaccines can't keep up.
The global stockpile of cholera vaccines is empty. There are no doses in reserve. And while the vaccine manufacturer is churning out 700,000 doses a week, all those vials are going directly to active outbreaks.
"The demand is four times more than the supply," said Daniela Garone, the international medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders. "And we don't have enough vaccines to use for the preventive programs."
This couldn't come at a worse time, experts say.
After a long period of global progress against cholera, the number of outbreaks has shot up since 2021. There are currently 17
