One of only two cholera vaccinations used in humanitarian emergencies will stop being made at the end of this year, despite pleas from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The world is facing an “unprecedented” series of deadly outbreaks from cholera, with Haiti, Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia all fighting waves now.
Shantha Biotechnics will stop production of its Shanchol vaccine within months, with supply stopping by the end of 2023.
WHO’s team lead for cholera Philippe Barboza said Shantha’s plans were despite repeated appeals from the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Mr Barboza said: “To say the least, it’s a very disappointing strategy.
"In 2022, people should not die of cholera.
"You don’t need a respirator or anything very complicated, but people are dying just because they don’t have access to healthcare. And this is not acceptable.”
Shanchol is one of only two oral cholera vaccines suitable for use in a global emergency stockpile used to supply countries battling outbreaks, as well as for preventive vaccination campaigns.
This year it made up about 15 per cent of the stockpile’s doses, according to the Guardian.
Cholera can be easily treated, but the WHO estimated it kills about 143,000 people a year in the world's poorest countries, where access to clean water and basic sanitation is not always available.
Sanofi said the decision to stop producing the vaccine had been taken in October 2020 and that, as “a responsible partner”, it had “informed global health organisations and cholera stakeholders three years before supply discontinuation”.
A spokeswoman said: “We took this decision in a context where we were already producing very small volumes versus the total demand for cholera vaccines and in the knowledge that other cholera vaccine manufacturers (current and new entrants) had already announced an increased supply capacity in the years to come.
“The production of Shanchol will stop at the end of this year. Supply will be discontinued next year."
The WHO’s director general, Dr Ghebreyesus said last week that the climate crisis had "turbocharged" the spread of cholera.
Extreme weather events, including floods, cyclones and droughts, which are likely to increase owing to climate change, could mean people's access to clean water is reduced even further.
Dr Ghebreyesus said: “With an increasing number of outbreaks, supply [of vaccine] cannot keep up with demand.
“We urge the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers to talk to us about how we can increase production.”
