Cholera Vaccine in London
Cholera Vaccine in London
Cholera Vaccine in London
Planning aid work, long stays or travel during a cholera outbreak? Get oral cholera vaccination and clear advice at Kensington Clinics in South Kensington.
Planning aid work, long stays or travel during a cholera outbreak? Get oral cholera vaccination and clear advice at Kensington Clinics in South Kensington.
Planning aid work, long stays or travel during a cholera outbreak? Get oral cholera vaccination and clear advice at Kensington Clinics in South Kensington.
Travel health advice
Cholera
Cholera
Spread by
Contaminated water & food
Consultations are £25 and redeemable against any vaccine course on the day. Same-week appointments available for most travellers.
Consultations are £25 and redeemable against any vaccine course on the day. Same-week appointments available for most travellers.
Cholera vaccination before higher-risk travel
Cholera vaccination before higher-risk travel
Cholera vaccination before higher-risk travel
Most people going abroad do not need a cholera vaccine. That is the honest starting point. It becomes relevant for a smaller group: aid workers, people travelling during an outbreak, those staying where clean water is unreliable, or travellers with limited access to medical care if they become unwell. At Kensington Clinics in London, we can look at your itinerary, dates and medical background, then tell you whether cholera vaccination belongs on your travel plan.
Most people going abroad do not need a cholera vaccine. That is the honest starting point. It becomes relevant for a smaller group: aid workers, people travelling during an outbreak, those staying where clean water is unreliable, or travellers with limited access to medical care if they become unwell. At Kensington Clinics in London, we can look at your itinerary, dates and medical background, then tell you whether cholera vaccination belongs on your travel plan.
Most people going abroad do not need a cholera vaccine. That is the honest starting point. It becomes relevant for a smaller group: aid workers, people travelling during an outbreak, those staying where clean water is unreliable, or travellers with limited access to medical care if they become unwell. At Kensington Clinics in London, we can look at your itinerary, dates and medical background, then tell you whether cholera vaccination belongs on your travel plan.
Severe diarrhoea from contaminated food and water
Severe diarrhoea from contaminated food and water
Severe diarrhoea from contaminated food and water
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. People usually catch it by swallowing contaminated water or food, especially where sanitation has broken down or safe drinking water is hard to access. Undercooked seafood can also be a route of infection. Many infections are mild, and some cause no symptoms. The cases that matter clinically can move fast. Cholera can cause sudden, profuse watery diarrhoea, sometimes with vomiting, followed by dangerous dehydration and salt imbalance. In severe cases, someone can become seriously ill within hours if rehydration is not available. For a short hotel-based trip, the risk is usually low if you are careful with food and water. The picture is different for disaster relief work, refugee camp settings, rural healthcare work, long stays in outbreak areas, or travel where you may not be able to reach treatment quickly.
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. People usually catch it by swallowing contaminated water or food, especially where sanitation has broken down or safe drinking water is hard to access. Undercooked seafood can also be a route of infection. Many infections are mild, and some cause no symptoms. The cases that matter clinically can move fast. Cholera can cause sudden, profuse watery diarrhoea, sometimes with vomiting, followed by dangerous dehydration and salt imbalance. In severe cases, someone can become seriously ill within hours if rehydration is not available. For a short hotel-based trip, the risk is usually low if you are careful with food and water. The picture is different for disaster relief work, refugee camp settings, rural healthcare work, long stays in outbreak areas, or travel where you may not be able to reach treatment quickly.
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. People usually catch it by swallowing contaminated water or food, especially where sanitation has broken down or safe drinking water is hard to access. Undercooked seafood can also be a route of infection. Many infections are mild, and some cause no symptoms. The cases that matter clinically can move fast. Cholera can cause sudden, profuse watery diarrhoea, sometimes with vomiting, followed by dangerous dehydration and salt imbalance. In severe cases, someone can become seriously ill within hours if rehydration is not available. For a short hotel-based trip, the risk is usually low if you are careful with food and water. The picture is different for disaster relief work, refugee camp settings, rural healthcare work, long stays in outbreak areas, or travel where you may not be able to reach treatment quickly.
An oral vaccine, not an injection
An oral vaccine, not an injection
An oral vaccine, not an injection
Cholera vaccines used for travel are taken by mouth. They are designed to reduce the risk of cholera infection, but they do not replace careful food, water and hand hygiene. They also do not cover every cause of travellers’ diarrhoea, so it is still perfectly possible to get a stomach bug after vaccination. The schedule depends on the product and the traveller’s age. One commonly used inactivated oral vaccine is usually given as two doses for adults and older children, spaced at least a week apart, with the course completed at least one week before possible exposure. Younger children may need a three-dose course. A live oral cholera vaccine may be given as a single dose at least 10 days before potential exposure, but it is not suitable for everyone. Children can be vaccinated when the product and age are appropriate, but they should be assessed individually. People who are immunosuppressed, taking certain medicines, recently on antibiotics, pregnant, breastfeeding, or living with significant medical conditions should mention this before vaccination. Temporary stomach symptoms can happen after oral vaccines. If you remain at risk later, a repeat course or further advice may be needed.
Cholera vaccines used for travel are taken by mouth. They are designed to reduce the risk of cholera infection, but they do not replace careful food, water and hand hygiene. They also do not cover every cause of travellers’ diarrhoea, so it is still perfectly possible to get a stomach bug after vaccination. The schedule depends on the product and the traveller’s age. One commonly used inactivated oral vaccine is usually given as two doses for adults and older children, spaced at least a week apart, with the course completed at least one week before possible exposure. Younger children may need a three-dose course. A live oral cholera vaccine may be given as a single dose at least 10 days before potential exposure, but it is not suitable for everyone. Children can be vaccinated when the product and age are appropriate, but they should be assessed individually. People who are immunosuppressed, taking certain medicines, recently on antibiotics, pregnant, breastfeeding, or living with significant medical conditions should mention this before vaccination. Temporary stomach symptoms can happen after oral vaccines. If you remain at risk later, a repeat course or further advice may be needed.
Cholera vaccines used for travel are taken by mouth. They are designed to reduce the risk of cholera infection, but they do not replace careful food, water and hand hygiene. They also do not cover every cause of travellers’ diarrhoea, so it is still perfectly possible to get a stomach bug after vaccination. The schedule depends on the product and the traveller’s age. One commonly used inactivated oral vaccine is usually given as two doses for adults and older children, spaced at least a week apart, with the course completed at least one week before possible exposure. Younger children may need a three-dose course. A live oral cholera vaccine may be given as a single dose at least 10 days before potential exposure, but it is not suitable for everyone. Children can be vaccinated when the product and age are appropriate, but they should be assessed individually. People who are immunosuppressed, taking certain medicines, recently on antibiotics, pregnant, breastfeeding, or living with significant medical conditions should mention this before vaccination. Temporary stomach symptoms can happen after oral vaccines. If you remain at risk later, a repeat course or further advice may be needed.
Countries and situations where cholera risk becomes relevant
Countries and situations where cholera risk becomes relevant
Countries and situations where cholera risk becomes relevant
Cholera is mainly associated with places where safe water and sanitation are unreliable, particularly during outbreaks or after flooding, conflict or population displacement. Recent large outbreaks have affected countries including Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria. Travellers returning to the UK with cholera have also reported travel to countries such as Pakistan, India, Iraq and Kenya. That does not mean every traveller to those countries needs the vaccine. A business traveller staying in a city hotel is in a different position from someone working in a field clinic, visiting family for several weeks in an outbreak area, or travelling where medical care is thin on the ground.
Cholera is mainly associated with places where safe water and sanitation are unreliable, particularly during outbreaks or after flooding, conflict or population displacement. Recent large outbreaks have affected countries including Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria. Travellers returning to the UK with cholera have also reported travel to countries such as Pakistan, India, Iraq and Kenya. That does not mean every traveller to those countries needs the vaccine. A business traveller staying in a city hotel is in a different position from someone working in a field clinic, visiting family for several weeks in an outbreak area, or travelling where medical care is thin on the ground.
Cholera is mainly associated with places where safe water and sanitation are unreliable, particularly during outbreaks or after flooding, conflict or population displacement. Recent large outbreaks have affected countries including Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria. Travellers returning to the UK with cholera have also reported travel to countries such as Pakistan, India, Iraq and Kenya. That does not mean every traveller to those countries needs the vaccine. A business traveller staying in a city hotel is in a different position from someone working in a field clinic, visiting family for several weeks in an outbreak area, or travelling where medical care is thin on the ground.
Come in once your route and dates are firm
Come in once your route and dates are firm
Come in once your route and dates are firm
If cholera vaccination is relevant to your trip, a short consultation can confirm whether the oral course makes sense for your route and timing. Kensington Clinics offers prescriber-led travel appointments at our South Kensington and Hammersmith pharmacies. Bring your itinerary and any vaccine records, and call 020 7589 4186 or 020 7603 4761 to book.
If cholera vaccination is relevant to your trip, a short consultation can confirm whether the oral course makes sense for your route and timing. Kensington Clinics offers prescriber-led travel appointments at our South Kensington and Hammersmith pharmacies. Bring your itinerary and any vaccine records, and call 020 7589 4186 or 020 7603 4761 to book.
If cholera vaccination is relevant to your trip, a short consultation can confirm whether the oral course makes sense for your route and timing. Kensington Clinics offers prescriber-led travel appointments at our South Kensington and Hammersmith pharmacies. Bring your itinerary and any vaccine records, and call 020 7589 4186 or 020 7603 4761 to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this vaccine.
Common questions about this vaccine.
Common questions about this vaccine.
How early should I book cholera vaccination before travel?
How early should I book cholera vaccination before travel?
How early should I book cholera vaccination before travel?
Book as soon as your route and dates are reasonably fixed. Some cholera vaccine courses need more than one dose, usually with at least a week between doses, and the course should be finished before exposure. If you are leaving soon, still ask; there may be options depending on the vaccine, your age and your trip.
Book as soon as your route and dates are reasonably fixed. Some cholera vaccine courses need more than one dose, usually with at least a week between doses, and the course should be finished before exposure. If you are leaving soon, still ask; there may be options depending on the vaccine, your age and your trip.
Book as soon as your route and dates are reasonably fixed. Some cholera vaccine courses need more than one dose, usually with at least a week between doses, and the course should be finished before exposure. If you are leaving soon, still ask; there may be options depending on the vaccine, your age and your trip.
Do I need a cholera certificate to enter a country?
Do I need a cholera certificate to enter a country?
Do I need a cholera certificate to enter a country?
No. Countries do not require proof of cholera vaccination as an entry condition. The decision is based on your personal risk during the trip, not border rules.
No. Countries do not require proof of cholera vaccination as an entry condition. The decision is based on your personal risk during the trip, not border rules.
No. Countries do not require proof of cholera vaccination as an entry condition. The decision is based on your personal risk during the trip, not border rules.
Is cholera vaccine needed for India, Pakistan or Kenya?
Is cholera vaccine needed for India, Pakistan or Kenya?
Is cholera vaccine needed for India, Pakistan or Kenya?
Not automatically. Cholera has been reported in travellers returning from these countries, but vaccine advice depends on where you will be staying, how long you will be there, what you will be doing, and whether there is an outbreak at the time. Relief work, rural stays and poor access to safe water make the discussion more relevant.
Not automatically. Cholera has been reported in travellers returning from these countries, but vaccine advice depends on where you will be staying, how long you will be there, what you will be doing, and whether there is an outbreak at the time. Relief work, rural stays and poor access to safe water make the discussion more relevant.
Not automatically. Cholera has been reported in travellers returning from these countries, but vaccine advice depends on where you will be staying, how long you will be there, what you will be doing, and whether there is an outbreak at the time. Relief work, rural stays and poor access to safe water make the discussion more relevant.
Can I have cholera vaccine with my other travel vaccines?
Can I have cholera vaccine with my other travel vaccines?
Can I have cholera vaccine with my other travel vaccines?
Often, yes, but oral vaccines need a little planning. Some products require you to avoid food and drink for a period before and after the dose, and timing may matter if you are also taking oral typhoid vaccine or certain medicines. Tell the pharmacist about all vaccines, antibiotics and malaria tablets you expect to use.
Often, yes, but oral vaccines need a little planning. Some products require you to avoid food and drink for a period before and after the dose, and timing may matter if you are also taking oral typhoid vaccine or certain medicines. Tell the pharmacist about all vaccines, antibiotics and malaria tablets you expect to use.
Often, yes, but oral vaccines need a little planning. Some products require you to avoid food and drink for a period before and after the dose, and timing may matter if you are also taking oral typhoid vaccine or certain medicines. Tell the pharmacist about all vaccines, antibiotics and malaria tablets you expect to use.
Who should not have the cholera vaccine?
Who should not have the cholera vaccine?
Who should not have the cholera vaccine?
Suitability depends on the product. A live oral cholera vaccine is not suitable for people who are immunosuppressed, and recent antibiotics can interfere with some oral vaccines. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant gut problems, allergies and long-term medicines should all be discussed before you take it.
Suitability depends on the product. A live oral cholera vaccine is not suitable for people who are immunosuppressed, and recent antibiotics can interfere with some oral vaccines. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant gut problems, allergies and long-term medicines should all be discussed before you take it.
Suitability depends on the product. A live oral cholera vaccine is not suitable for people who are immunosuppressed, and recent antibiotics can interfere with some oral vaccines. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant gut problems, allergies and long-term medicines should all be discussed before you take it.