Healthcare Pharmacy, Hornchurch, supplies the oral cholera vaccine (Dukoral) for travellers at risk of contracting cholera or travellers’ diarrhoea. Our pharmacists can advise on whether this vaccination is appropriate for your destination and itinerary.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. In severe cases, it can cause rapid dehydration and death within hours if left untreated. Cholera is prevalent in regions with inadequate sanitation, particularly in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. The Dukoral vaccine also provides short-term protection against travellers’ diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC).
The oral cholera vaccine (Dukoral) is taken as two doses, administered one to six weeks apart for adults. Both doses must be completed at least one week before entering a risk area. The vaccine is mixed with water and taken orally. A booster dose is recommended after two years for cholera protection, and after three months for ETEC protection.
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Healthcare Pharmacy is one of the few community pharmacies in Hornchurch that stocks the oral cholera vaccine (Dukoral). Our pharmacists are trained to advise on the full range of food and water precautions to complement vaccination and minimise your risk of illness while travelling.
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Dukoral is the oral cholera vaccine available in the Hornchurch. It contains inactivated Vibrio cholerae bacteria and a recombinant cholera toxin B subunit. When taken as directed, it stimulates the immune system to produce protection against cholera and also provides short-term protection against travellers’ diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Healthcare Pharmacy in Hornchurch stocks Dukoral and can advise on its use.
The cholera vaccine is recommended for travellers visiting areas with active cholera outbreaks, aid and humanitarian workers, and those travelling to regions with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. It may also be considered by travellers seeking additional protection against travellers’ diarrhoea. Our pharmacists at Healthcare Pharmacy, Hornchurch, can advise on whether the vaccine is appropriate for your itinerary.
Dukoral is supplied as a suspension that is mixed with a small amount of water and consumed orally. Adults require two doses, taken one to six weeks apart. Both doses should be completed at least one week before travel. The vaccine must not be mixed with food or drink, and food and drink should be avoided for one hour before and after each dose. Healthcare Pharmacy in Hornchurch will provide clear instructions when dispensing the vaccine.
Dukoral provides approximately 60% protection against travellers’ diarrhoea caused by ETEC for up to three months following vaccination. This is a useful additional benefit for travellers visiting regions where ETEC is common, such as South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. However, it does not protect against all causes of travellers’ diarrhoea, and food and water hygiene precautions remain essential.
Protection against cholera lasts for approximately two years following the primary two-dose course. Protection against travellers’ diarrhoea (ETEC) lasts for approximately three months. A single booster dose can extend protection if given within two years of the primary course. Our pharmacists at Healthcare Pharmacy in Hornchurch can advise on the timing of booster doses based on your travel plans.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for a consultation with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Suitability for any treatment or service will be assessed on an individual basis by our pharmacy team, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. If you have concerns about your health, please speak to your GP, contact NHS 111, or, in an emergency, call 999.