Uptake likelihood assessment of oral cholera vaccine capsules: insights from stakeholder consultations in five countries

BACKGROUND: The global resurgence of cholera, a diarrhoeal disease, has resulted in vaccine demand that exceeds the currently available supply resulting in global calls for next generation cholera vaccines. DuoChol is a novel, thermostable, low-cost oral cholera vaccine capsule currently in development which has the potential to introduce programmatic benefits and efficiencies in cholera vaccination campaigns. OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study aimed to identify country-specific challenges in handling, distributing, and storing cholera vaccines and to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and policy implications of vaccine capsules compared to current products and practices in vaccination campaigns. METHODS: Using the World Health Organization's Vaccine Innovation Framework, consultations were conducted with 81 immunization programme stakeholders from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania. RESULTS: Key barriers…