Why is it in the news?

• The World Health Organization (WHO) recently prequalified a new oral cholera vaccine called Euvichol-S.

 More about the news

• Euvichol-S is a simplified formulation derived from the WHO prequalified inactivated oral cholera vaccine, Euvichol-Plus.
• Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, and its global incidence has been increasing since 2021.
• Despite the availability of effective treatment, cholera still poses a significant threat, with high case fatality rates reported.
• The approval of Euvichol-S is expected to boost the overall supply of oral cholera vaccines in 2024.
• Approximately 50 million doses of Euvichol-S are projected to be available in the global stockpile this year, compared to 38 million doses in 2023.