In February, the World Health Organization reported that its stock of oral cholera vaccines, or OCV, was empty. It was replenished by South Korean biopharmaceutical company EuBiologics but stocks ran low again in October, and that month the health agency was unable to entirely fulfill requests from countries experiencing outbreaks, including Bangladesh, Sudan, Niger, Ethiopia, and Myanmar.
Health professionals are worried that unless manufacturing is ramped up, shortages will continue amid growing demand, putting more people at risk of the deadly waterborne virus.
“A potential stock-out of the WHO’s OCV is indeed a grave concern, particularly for the vulnerable populations in cholera endemic regions,” said Dr. Firdausi Qadri, senior scientist at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, or icddr,b.
About the author
Rebecca L. Root
Rebecca L. Root is a freelance reporter for Devex based in Bangkok. Previously senior associate & reporter, she produced news stories, video, and podcasts as well as partnership content. She has a background in finance, travel, and global development journalism and has written for a variety of publications while living and working in Bangkok, New York, London, and Barcelona.
