Voice of America
June 01, 2012

Doctors Without Borders Vaccinates Guineans Against Cholera
DAKAR, Senegal – The medical aid group, Doctors Without Borders, has vaccinated more than 100,000 people against cholera in Guinea. The group says this is the first intervention of its kind in Africa, where people were vaccinated during a major cholera outbreak. Experts say that while the vaccine is a vital tool, it cannot be seen as a solution in itself…

“…François Verhoustraeten, who is program director with MSF in Geneva and oversees the agency’s work in Guinea, said what’s particular about the Guinea intervention is that MSF introduced the vaccine once cases were already reported. So not only is the group protecting people from the disease, he said, it is also able to see the impact of vaccination on an ongoing epidemic.
“…MSF points out that the cholera vaccine cannot be used alone, but rather is just one tool against this highly contagious yet preventable disease. Verhoustraeten said the agency will not base future cholera prevention efforts on the vaccine. He said proper hygiene and access to clean water remain fundamental measures and that the vaccine can be a significant addition….”

“…Claire-Lise Chaignat is a cholera expert at the World Health Organization in Geneva. She said WHO is closely watching the campaign in Guinea. “Vaccines have certainly a role to play in cholera control, but it’s not a panacea. We’re very keen on seeing how this intervention of MSF in West Africa is going to be effective,” said Chaignat. She said vaccination is becoming increasingly prominent in cholera prevention, pointing to a project in Zanzibar, in eastern Africa, where broad vaccination campaigns are planned.
“Now the recommendation is to use cholera vaccines to eliminate cholera in Zanzibar by having three vaccination rounds over a period of 10 years, along with improved water and sanitation. So you see the vaccine is really coming to the forefront, but again not as a sole measure; it has to be part of an intervention package,” said Chaignat.
Voice of America: http://www.voanews.com/content/doctors_without_borders_completes_cholera_campaign_guinea/1146248.html