Cholera
Cholera and travellers’ diarrhea (Dukoral, Vaxchora)
DUKORAL · VAXCHORA
Two oral doses (three for young children), or one live oral dose. Every product below is a Health Canada authorized vaccine; every schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.
Products authorized in Canada
Brand names and DINs (Drug Identification Numbers) as Health Canada's Drug Product Database lists them. The product monograph is the manufacturer's full prescribing information approved by Health Canada.
| Product | DIN | What it is | Presentation and age | Official information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUKORAL | 02247208 | Inactivated Vibrio cholerae + recombinant cholera toxin B subunit | Oral suspension · 2 years and older | Product guideHealth Canada recordProduct monograph (PDF) |
| VAXCHORA Live vaccine | 02538164 | Vibrio cholerae CVD 103-HgR, live attenuated | Powder for oral suspension · 2 to 64 years | Product guideHealth Canada recordProduct monograph (PDF) |
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
DUKORAL: use if indicated when the risk of severe disease is high. VAXCHORA is a live vaccine and is not given in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Use if indicated.
Source: Immunization in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter updated August 2026. Live vaccines are generally contraindicated in pregnancy; routinely recommended vaccines can be given while breastfeeding unless the chapter says otherwise.
How many doses
The schedules the Canadian Immunization Guide describes for this vaccine. Which one applies depends on age, health and product — use the dose planner to see the dates for your situation.
| Schedule | Doses | Who it is for | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cholera / travellers’ diarrhea (DUKORAL) — 6 years and older, two oral doses Two oral doses 1 to 6 weeks apart, finished at least 1 week before travel. | 2 doses | For travellers 6 years and older at high risk of cholera, and 2 years and older for ETEC travellers’ diarrhea: two oral doses 1 to 6 weeks apart. If more than 6 weeks pass between doses, the series restarts. Booster every 2 years for cholera, every 3 months for travellers’ diarrhea while risk continues. | DUKORAL |
| Cholera (DUKORAL) — 2 to 5 years, three oral doses Three oral doses each 1 to 6 weeks apart, finished at least 1 week before travel. | 3 doses | Children 2 to less than 6 years at high risk of cholera: three oral doses, each 1 to 6 weeks apart, completed at least 1 week before travel. Booster every 6 months while risk continues. For travellers’ diarrhea alone, two doses are enough. | DUKORAL |
| Cholera (VAXCHORA) — one live oral dose One oral dose of live cholera vaccine at least 10 days before travel. | 1 dose | VAXCHORA is authorized by Health Canada for 2 to 64 years of age as a single oral dose against cholera (not travellers’ diarrhea). CATMAT has not yet issued a recommendation; the product monograph governs. Avoid food and drink 1 hour before and after the dose; antibiotics within 14 days may reduce the response. | VAXCHORA |
Sources
- Cholera and ETEC travellers’ diarrhea vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter revised April 2017
- Health Canada Drug Product Database — product records and monographs
Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27. General information from public Canadian guidance; a personal assessment is needed for treatment decisions. Care365 does not decide whether a vaccine is publicly funded in Ontario.