Dukoral is an oral vaccine that helps protect against cholera and may offer some protection against certain causes of travellers' diarrhoea. It is taken as a drink before travel to higher-risk areas.
£35 per dose — 2 dose course
Who it is for
Adults and children aged 2 years and over who are at higher risk, such as aid and relief workers, volunteers and travellers to outbreak areas with limited access to safe water and medical care
Number of doses
Two doses for adults and children aged 6 years and over; three doses for children aged 2 to 5 years
When to have it
Complete the course at least one week before you are at risk of exposure
How long protection lasts
Around two years in adults, after which a booster may be advised for those at continued risk
How it is given
Taken by mouth as a drink mixed with water and a buffer solution, not as an injection
Price
£35 per dose
Dukoral is an oral cholera vaccine taken as a drink, given as two doses before travel, and may offer some protection against certain causes of travellers' diarrhoea. It is mainly recommended for aid workers and travellers to outbreak areas rather than routine tourists. The Dukoral cholera vaccine is available at Crewe Travel Clinic in Crewe, Cheshire.
Cholera is a bacterial infection spread through food and water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It can cause severe, watery diarrhoea and rapid dehydration, and tends to occur in areas with poor sanitation, particularly during outbreaks, natural disasters or in refugee settings.
Dukoral is an oral, inactivated vaccine taken as a drink mixed with water. For most adults it is given as two doses, spaced at least one week (and no more than six weeks) apart, with the course completed before travel. It is generally reserved for travellers at higher risk rather than routine tourists.
Dukoral may also provide some short-term protection against travellers' diarrhoea caused by certain strains of E. coli. At Crewe Travel Clinic we can assess your itinerary and advise whether Dukoral is appropriate, alongside essential food and water precautions.
Complete the course at least 1 week before travel
The two doses are taken at least one week apart, and the final dose should be completed at least one week before you are at risk of exposure.
Good short-term protection
Dukoral provides good protection against cholera in the months following the course, with protection gradually declining over time.
Around 2 years
Protection against cholera lasts around two years in adults, after which a booster dose may be advised for those at continued risk.
Dukoral is recommended for humanitarian aid workers; travellers going to areas with current cholera outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care; and other travellers to cholera risk areas for whom vaccination is considered potentially beneficial because of their occupation, activities or underlying health. It is not needed for most standard tourist trips. Dukoral is not recommended for the prevention of travellers' diarrhoea, and good food and water hygiene remains essential.
Cholera vaccination with Dukoral is not needed for most standard tourist trips. It is generally reserved for people whose work, activities or circumstances place them at higher risk of exposure to contaminated food and water. At Crewe Travel Clinic we review your destination, itinerary and health before advising whether the vaccine is appropriate for you.
Dukoral is an oral, inactivated vaccine taken as a drink. The vaccine is mixed with a buffer solution and water and swallowed; food and drink should be avoided for one hour before and after each dose. The number of doses depends on age, and the course should be completed before you are likely to be exposed.
Protection develops after the course is completed and is best in the months that follow, gradually declining over time. The need for a booster depends on whether you remain at risk and how long since your last dose.
Dukoral is generally well tolerated. Because it is taken by mouth, most reported effects relate to the digestive system and are usually mild and short-lived. Serious reactions are uncommon. If you feel unwell after a dose or have any concerns, you can contact our team for advice.