A Post-marketing Observational Study of Oral Cholera Vaccine

Chinese survey data indicate that the incidence rate of diarrhea in the general population ranges from 0.17 to 0.70 episodes per person-year, whereas among children under five years of age, the rate is significantly higher, ranging from 2.50 to 3.38 episodes per person-year. Over recent decades, rapid economic development has contributed substantially to the reduction of mortality associated with infectious diseases. However, emerging challenges-such as increasing antimicrobial resistance and heightened population mobility-have complicated efforts in infectious disease prevention and control. In a phase III clinical trial of the recombinant B subunit/bacterial whole-cell cholera vaccine (enteric-coated capsule), a statistically significant difference was observed in the overall incidence of diarrhea between the vaccinated group (12.9%) and the control group (26.7%) (P \< 0.01). Findings from similar vaccine studies conducted in Sweden have demonstrated cross-protection against diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and other intestinal pathogens. Specifically, the vaccine conferred a 50% protection rate against Salmonella enterica infections, 82% against mixed infections involving ETEC and Salmonella, and 71% against mixed infections involving ETEC and other pathogens. Evidence from relevant studies suggests that the recombinant B subunit/bacterial whole-cell cholera vaccine may offer protective benefits against non-cholera infectious diarrhea. Nevertheless, there remains a paucity of real-world effectiveness data, particularly in pediatric populations who bear a disproportionately high burden of diarrheal disease.