Mozambique Begins Cholera Vaccinations as Global Preventive Programs Resume After Four-Year Shortage

Mozambique has started cholera vaccinations following the resumption of global preventive programs paused for nearly four years due to a vaccine shortage. WHO, GAVI, and UNICEF are deploying 20 million doses, with 3.6 million going to Mozambique, to protect populations affected by floods and prevent outbreaks.

People in Mozambique have begun receiving cholera vaccinations following the global resumption of preventive cholera vaccination programs, which had been suspended for nearly four years due to a shortage of vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. The suspension of these programs had left many vulnerable populations without access to crucial preventive measures, making them more susceptible to cholera outbreaks, particularly in areas already affected by poor sanitation, flooding, or other crises.
In a joint statement, WHO, the vaccine alliance GAVI, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) explained that stocks of oral cholera vaccines in the global stockpile they manage had increased to nearly 70 million doses last year. These vaccines are provided free of charge to countries in need, but during the period of shortage, they could only be administered reactively in response to outbreaks rather than used for preventative campaigns. The shortage was first announced in 2022 due to a surge in global demand, which far exceeded the available supply, leaving many countries struggling to protect their populations from the disease.
At the height of the shortage, the global stockpile had decreased to just 35 million doses, prompting urgent requests from countries facing ongoing cholera outbreaks. To address this urgent need, WHO, GAVI, and UNICEF said that a first allocation of 20 million doses is now being deployed. Of these, 3.6 million doses have been sent to Mozambique, 6.1 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 10.3 million are planned for delivery to Bangladesh. The coordinated distribution is part of a broader effort to strengthen global preparedness and response to cholera and prevent further large-scale outbreaks.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the significance of the renewed vaccination efforts, stating, “Global vaccine shortages forced us into a cycle of reacting to cholera outbreaks instead of preventing them. We are now in a stronger position to break that cycle.” His remarks highlighted the importance of moving from reactive outbreak response to proactive prevention in countries at high risk.
Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by waterborne bacteria, and outbreaks often occur as a result of poverty, conflict, or climate-related crises. These conditions can destroy health facilities, disrupt access to clean water, or spread bacteria through flooding, making communities particularly vulnerable. Mozambique has been identified as a priority country for vaccination following severe flooding in the southern part of the country last month, which affected around 700,000 people and heightened the risk of cholera outbreaks in the region.
WHO has previously noted that while poverty and conflict remain long-term drivers of cholera, climate change has aggravated the global rise in the disease that began in 2021. The increasing frequency and intensity of storms and floods due to climate change have created conditions that make the spread of cholera more likely, especially in regions with limited infrastructure and public health resources.
During the period of vaccine shortage, WHO recommended a one-dose vaccination strategy instead of the standard two-dose regimen in order to maximize coverage and protect as many people as possible. On Wednesday, WHO stated that the one-dose approach will continue as standard practice, with two-dose campaigns considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of local outbreaks and available resources.
Last year, more than 600,000 cholera cases and nearly 7,600 deaths were reported to WHO. Global cholera cases had been rising consistently since 2021, before a slight decline was recorded in 2025. Despite the decrease in total cases, cholera-related deaths continued to increase, underscoring the persistent threat of the disease and the critical importance of vaccination campaigns and other preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations and reduce mortality.