Vaxchora

Cholera is a bacterial infection that can lead to severe, life-threatening diarrhea. Cholera happens when you come into contact with water or food that has been contaminated by feces infected with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

This vaccine works by giving you a small dose of live cholera bacteria, which helps your body develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in your body.

Vaxchora is for people ages 2 through 64 years old who plan to travel to areas where cholera is known to exist.

Like any vaccine, Vaxchora may not protect every person from the disease.

For at least 2 weeks after you get this vaccine, wash your hands frequently, especially after using the restroom or before touching food.

You should not get this vaccine if you have had an allergic reaction to any Vaxchora you received in the past.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a weak immune system (due to disease or certain medicines); or
• anyone in your household has a weak immune system.

Since the Vaxchora is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it is not expected to harm an unborn baby if you receive the vaccine during pregnancy. However, do not receive this medicine within 7 days before your expected delivery date.

If you are pregnant, your name may be included in a pregnancy registry to monitor the effects of cholera vaccine on the baby.

Because the Vaxchora is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it is not expected to harm a nursing baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects of Vaxchora may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• headache; or
• tiredness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Vaxchora is usually given orally (by mouth) as a single dose. This vaccine is a powder that is mixed with water before you receive this vaccine. You will receive this mixture in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

The timing of this vaccination is very important for it to be effective. For best protection against cholera, this vaccine should be given at least 10 days before you travel to a cholera-affected area.

For at least 2 weeks after you receive Vaxchora, wash your hands often, especially after using the restroom or before handling food.

While traveling in a cholera-affected area, avoid drinking water or soft drinks that are not from sealed bottles or cans. Avoid ice cubes that were not made from bottled water. Use bottled water while brushing your teeth, and when preparing food or cleaning areas where food is prepared and served.

If bottled water is not available, follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about disinfecting water from a tap or other source.

Since Vaxchora is given as a single vaccine, you will probably not have a dosing schedule.

Since Vaxchora is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, it is unlikely that you will receive too much of it.

Do not eat or drink anything for at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after getting this vaccine.

For at least 7 days after you get this vaccine, live cholera bacteria can be found in your feces (bowel movements). During this time, do not let your body fluids touch your hands or other surfaces. Avoid contact with anyone who has a weak immune system.

Before getting this vaccine, inform your doctor about all other medications you have taken recently, especially:

• an antibiotic; or
• chloroquine.

Also let your doctor know if you have recently taken any drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;
• cancer treatments;
• medications for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

If you are taking any of these medications, you may not be able to receive Vaxchora, or you may need to wait until the other treatments are completed.

This list is not complete. Other medications may affect this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are included in this medication guide.