Cholera Vaccine
Protect yourself against Cholera by getting vaccinated at your local Blooms The Chemist.
Cholera Vaccine
Protect yourself against Cholera by getting vaccinated at your local Blooms The Chemist.
Cholera Vaccine
Protect yourself against Cholera by getting vaccinated at your local Blooms The Chemist.
Cholera is an illness caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
It’s most likely to be found in parts of the world with poor water quality and infection can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
Here are three things you need to know about cholera.
1.
Many people who are infected with cholera do not experience symptoms1.
2.
It can take between 12 hours and five days for you to show symptoms1.
3.
Cholera is spread through drinking contaminated food or water1.
Stay protected against cholera with a vaccination at your local Blooms The Chemist*.
*There are age restrictions for the cholera vaccination in QLD, which are from 2 years and over.
If you’d like to be vaccinated against cholera and live in another state, please contact your doctor.
References
1World Health Organisation, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
Cholera FAQS
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by infection with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. It is usually found in parts of the world with poor water1.
You can get cholera from drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated with the bacteria.
It’s also spread by coming into contact with the faeces of someone that’s infected and passing the bacteria into the mouth.
1Healthdirect, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
Some people may not know they’re infected with cholera, whereas others will experience mild or severe symptoms.
Symptoms can appear two to three days after infection, and can range from a few hours to five days.
Some of the symptoms of cholera include1:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Feeling very tired
- Extremely watery and painless diarrhoea
- Weakness
- Dry mouth and being thirsty
- Abdominal cramps
1Healthdirect, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
Cholera is spread by drinking water or eating food that’s been contaminated with the bacteria1.
It can also be spread by coming into contact with infected faeces and then passing the bacteria into the mouth.
Cholera is not likely spread from person to person, so casual contact with an infected person isn’t a risk factor for cholera.
1Healthdirect, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
You can be diagnosed with cholera after visiting your doctor.
Your doctor will take a stool culture test, where a sample of your faeces is examined in a laboratory to look for cholera bacteria1.
1Healthdirect, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
Cholera is found in more than 50 countries, which include1:
- Africa
- Haiti
- South Asia
- Southeast Asia
1Healthdirect, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
Cholera is an easily treatable disease, although it can be life-threatening.
It can be treated by immediate rehydration, which is the replacement of the fluids and salts lost through diarrhoea1.
1South Australia Health, Cholera - including symptoms, treatment and prevention, accessed 22 April 2025
You can prevent getting cholera by consuming safe food and water.
This means avoiding1:
- Reheated or cold fruits, salads and vegetables
- Contaminated water
- Unpasteurised milk, yoghurt and cheese
- Raw or undercooked meat and seafoods
Most travellers do not need to be vaccinated for cholera, but it is recommended for children aged two years and older if they are travelling to a high-risk country.
1Healthdirect, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends the cholera vaccine for the following people1:
- Children aged two to six years who need three doses of cholera vaccine with an interval of one to six weeks between each dose
- Adults and children aged six years or older who need two doses of the cholera vaccine with an interval of one to six weeks between each dose
1Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025
The cholera vaccine is not currently a part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which means it is not free1.
There is a fee associated with this vaccine when you visit your local Blooms The Chemist.
1Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Cholera, accessed 22 April 2025