This is your final boarding call – do you have any last questions?
WHEN SHOULD I TAKE DUKORAL® ?
Start DUKORAL® at the latest*
Month Day
*for children between 2 and 6 taking DUKORAL® to prevent cholera, start at least 3 weeks before your departure
DUKORAL® must be started at least 2 weeks before you leave, unless this is a booster dose. Remember to leave enough time before your next trip.
WHERE CAN I GET DUKORAL® ?
Do I need a prescription for DUKORAL®?
Be sure to speak with your healthcare professional about the DUKORAL® vaccine before you travel
to an at-risk area.
You do not need a prescription if you are taking DUKORAL® to
prevent LT-producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-producing ETEC)
diarrhea, unless you live in Quebec or Saskatchewan. In Quebec,
DUKORAL® may be prescribed by your doctor, your pharmacist or
it may be administered by a nurse. In Saskatchewan, DUKORAL®
may be prescribed by your doctor or your pharmacist. DUKORAL®
is available at your local pharmacy or travel clinic.
If you are taking DUKORAL® to prevent cholera, it does require a prescription.
Is DUKORAL® covered by health insurance or reimbursement plans?
The cost of DUKORAL® may be covered by your private insurance. To find out if you are covered, contact your insurance provider and give the drug identification number (DIN) below.
DIN 02247208
How can I find where to get vaccinated with DUKORAL® near me?
We’ve got you covered! Click here and enter your postal code to find a list of travel clinics near you.
What is the recommended dosage for DUKORAL®?
To protect against LT-producing ETEC diarrhea (primary vaccination)
- Adults and children 2 years and older must take 2 doses orally (by mouth) least 1 week (up to 6 weeks) apart.
- Take the 1st dose no later than 2 weeks before you leave for your trip.
- Take the 2nd dose at least 1 week after the 1st dose and at least 1 week before your trip.
To protect against cholera (primary vaccination)
- Adults and children 6 years and older must take 2 doses orally (by mouth) at least 1 week (up to 6 weeks) apart.
- Take the 1st dose no later than 2 weeks before you leave for your trip.
- Take the 2nd dose at least 1 week after the 1st dose and at least 1 week before your trip.
- Children 2 to 6 years of age must be given 3 doses orally (by mouth) at least 1 week (up to 6 weeks) apart and finishing at least 1 week before the trip.
- 1st dose at least 3 weeks before departure; 2nd dose at least 1 week later; 3rd dose at least 1 week later and at least 1 week before departure.
I’ve taken DUKORAL® before, can I get a booster dose?
Yes! A booster dose can help renew your protection against LT-producing ETEC diarrhea and cholera.
For LT-producing ETEC diarrhea
- If you had your last dose of the vaccine between 3 months and 5 years before, a single dose will renew your protection.
For cholera
- Adults and children over 6 years: If you had your last dose of the vaccine between 2 and 5 years before, a single dose will renew your protection.
- Children 2 to 6 years: If the child had the last dose of the vaccine between 6 months and 5 years before, a single dose will renew protection.
If more than 5 years have passed since the last dose, the complete primary vaccination course should be taken again.
What happens if I only take one dose of DUKORAL®?
For DUKORAL® to work as intended, it’s important to complete the full vaccination course as recommended within the recommended timeframe.
How long before my trip should I start taking DUKORAL®?
Generally, you should start DUKORAL® at least 2 weeks before your trip.
For protection against cholera in children 2 to 6 years of age, however, make sure they start DUKORAL® at least 3 weeks before their trip.
Can children take DUKORAL®? If so, from what age?
Yes, they can! They must be 2 years of age or older.
Why has my healthcare professional recommended DUKORAL® before my trip?
Because you’re travelling to an at-risk area, your healthcare professional has recommended DUKORAL® to help you prevent diarrhea caused by cholera and/or LT-producing ETEC.
Should I take DUKORAL® if I travel for only one week?
Even short trips can carry risk. All it takes is one meal, one drink, or even brushing your teeth with tap water in an at-risk area to catch LT-producing ETEC diarrhea or cholera. Whether you’re away for a few days or a few weeks, vaccination with DUKORAL® can help protect you throughout your travels.
Does DUKORAL® need to be refrigerated? How long can it stay out of the fridge, and what’s the best way to store it?
Store the DUKORAL® vaccine vial in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F). DO NOT FREEZE DUKORAL®. Freezing destroys the vaccine.
The DUKORAL® vaccine vial may be used if stored at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to 21 days in total. However, this is not a storage recommendation.
Who should not take DUKORAL®?
DUKORAL® is not recommended for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your healthcare professional will discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking DUKORAL® during pregnancy.
It is also not recommended for travellers who have a fever or an acute gastrointestinal illness. If you have an
acute gastrointestinal illness or a fever, you should postpone taking DUKORAL® until the illness has passed.
However, you may take the vaccine if you have a mild illness, such as a cold.
People who have an allergy to any ingredient of DUKORAL® or its container, or to formaldehyde, should not
take the DUKORAL® vaccine.
How long does protection last with DUKORAL®?
Protection against diarrhea caused by heat-labile toxin-producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-producing ETEC)
and cholera begins about 1 week after the last dose taken.
| LT-PRODUCING ETEC | CHOLERA | ||
GROUP  | Adults and children 2 years and older | Adults and children 6 years and older | Children 2 to 6 years |
DURATION OF PROTECTION  | About 3 months | About 2 years | About 6 months |
BOOSTER DOSES  | If you have taken DUKORAL® in the last 3 months to 5 years, a single dose will renew your protection for 3 months. | If you or your child received your/their last dose of DUKORAL® between 2 and 5 years before, one booster dose will be sufficient to renew your/their protection. | If your child received their last dose of DUKORAL® between 6 months and 5 years before, one booster dose will be sufficient to renew their protection. |
| A single-dose DUKORAL® format is available from your pharmacist and should be taken at least one week before you travel. | |||
Can DUKORAL® cause any side effects?
The most common side effects of DUKORAL® are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Some people
who receive DUKORAL® may feel feverish. Allergic reactions can also occur.
Potentially serious side effects include dehydration and shortness of breath; however, these side effects occur very rarely.
You should see a healthcare professional if you experience any of these side effects.
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
