Travel Clinic
Cholera Vaccination
An oral vaccine for travellers heading to areas where cholera is a genuine risk, such as aid work, disaster relief or remote travel.
- When to book
- Book 6 weeks ahead
- How it is given
- Oral, not an injection
- Doses
- Two doses for adults
- Who it is for
- Adults and children from 2 years
About this service
Cholera is not a risk for most holidaymakers, but for some travellers it is a genuine concern. If you are doing aid or relief work, deploying to an outbreak area, or heading somewhere remote where clean water and medical care are limited, our Berkeley travel clinic can assess whether the oral cholera vaccine is right for you and supply it after a full travel health risk assessment.
Because the cholera vaccine is a drink rather than an injection, the appointment is straightforward, but the timing matters. The course needs to be completed at least a week before you travel, so we recommend booking well in advance. We welcome travellers from across Gloucestershire, including Dursley, Cam, Thornbury and the surrounding villages, and we will give you clear written instructions to take with you.
What cholera is
Cholera is a bacterial infection caught from contaminated water or food, causing profuse watery diarrhoea and rapid dehydration. Most tourists are at low risk, and the vaccine is aimed at travellers going to areas with active outbreaks, aid and relief workers, and people travelling to remote places where clean water and medical care are limited.
The vaccine is a drink, not an injection. Adults and children aged 6 and over have two doses at least one week and no more than six weeks apart, with the course completed at least one week before travel. Children aged 2 to 5 have three doses. You should not eat or drink for one hour before and one hour after each dose. A booster may be considered after two years for adults.
Who this service is for
Suitable for
- Aid, relief and healthcare workers deploying to outbreak areas
- Travellers to areas with a current cholera outbreak
- People travelling to remote areas with poor sanitation and limited medical care
- Travellers with reduced stomach acid or certain bowel conditions who may be more vulnerable
- Anyone advised to have it as part of their travel risk assessment
Not suitable for
- Children under 2
- Anyone with an acute gastrointestinal illness, who should wait until recovered
- Previous severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding unless specifically advised
- A weakened immune system, where the vaccine may be less effective
How it works
A simple, consistent process for every service at Berkeley Pharmacy.
Get in touch
Call us or use our contact form to arrange a consultation.
Consultation
A private, face-to-face appointment with our pharmacist in our Berkeley consultation room.
Clinical assessment
We review your medical history and confirm whether the service is suitable for you.
Treatment or referral
If it is suitable we treat you the same day; if not, we explain why and advise on the best next step.
What to expect at your appointment
We always carry out a travel health risk assessment first, because most travellers do not need this vaccine. If it is right for you, the dose is mixed with water and drunk in the pharmacy, and you will be asked not to eat or drink for an hour either side.
- We book your second dose before you leave
- We give you a written record of your vaccination
- With your consent, we tell your GP
Aftercare and safety
Mild tummy discomfort, nausea or headache can occur and usually settle quickly. The vaccine is generally well tolerated, and most people carry on with their day afterwards.
- Food and water hygiene is still the most important protection, so stick to safe water, avoid ice, peel fruit yourself and be careful with shellfish and salads
- Carry oral rehydration salts
- Seek medical help urgently for severe or watery diarrhoea with dehydration
- Contact us if you are unsure whether your course is complete
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need the cholera vaccine as a tourist?
Most tourists are at low risk and do not need the cholera vaccine. It is aimed at travellers going to areas with active outbreaks, aid and relief workers, and people travelling to remote places where clean water and medical care are limited. We assess your individual trip before recommending it.
Is the cholera vaccine an injection?
No. The cholera vaccine is a drink, not an injection. The dose is mixed with water and drunk in the pharmacy. You should not eat or drink for one hour before and one hour after each dose.
How many doses do I need and how far apart?
Adults and children aged 6 and over have two doses at least one week and no more than six weeks apart, with the course completed at least one week before travel. Children aged 2 to 5 have three doses. We will book your next dose before you leave.
Why can I not eat or drink around the dose?
The vaccine is sensitive to food and drink in the stomach, so you should not eat or drink for one hour before and one hour after each dose. This helps make sure the vaccine works as it should. We will remind you of this at your appointment.
Does the vaccine protect against travellers diarrhoea?
No. The cholera vaccine only protects against cholera, not against the other common causes of travellers diarrhoea. Food and water hygiene remains the most important protection, so stick to safe water, avoid ice, peel fruit yourself and be careful with shellfish and salads.
How long does protection last?
A booster may be considered after two years for adults if you are still at risk. We will note your dates and advise you when a booster might be appropriate based on your future travel.
How we can supply treatment without a GP appointment
Some treatments at Berkeley Pharmacy are supplied under a Patient Group Direction, or PGD – a written instruction, signed by a doctor and a pharmacist, that legally allows our trained pharmacists to supply and administer specified medicines to people who meet defined clinical criteria, without a prescription from your GP. If you do not meet the criteria set out in the PGD we cannot supply the treatment, and we will explain why and advise you on the best next step. Our pharmacists also work as independent prescribers where that is appropriate.
Serving Berkeley and the surrounding Gloucestershire villages
Berkeley Pharmacy is on Market Place in the centre of Berkeley, with easy access from junctions 13 and 14 of the M5. We welcome patients from Berkeley, Sharpness, Newport, Berkeley Heath, Alkington, Ham, Stone and Rockhampton, and we are a short drive from Cam, Dursley, Slimbridge, Cambridge, Falfield, Charfield, Tortworth, Cromhall, Oldbury-on-Severn, Wotton-under-Edge, Thornbury, Frampton on Severn and Stonehouse. Patients also travel to us from Stroud, Nailsworth, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Tetbury and Gloucester.
Safe, regulated care from your local pharmacy team
- Berkeley Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can check any pharmacy or pharmacist on the GPhC register at pharmacyregulation.org.
- Every consultation is face to face and private, in our dedicated consultation room – not an online questionnaire.
- Serving the Berkeley community for over 25 years.
- This service does not replace care from your GP. With your consent we will inform your GP of any treatment provided. If you are unwell, have new or worsening symptoms, or need urgent care, contact your GP or NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.
- If you experience a side effect from any medicine you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.
Page last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027.
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Find out more Travel ClinicTravellers’ Diarrhoea Treatment
The illness most likely to spoil your trip, and a standby pack so you are not searching for a pharmacy abroad.
Find out more Travel ClinicHepatitis A Vaccination
One of the most commonly recommended travel vaccinations, and one of the easiest to arrange before you go.
Find out moreSpeak to our pharmacy team about cholera vaccination
Visit us in Berkeley or get in touch to arrange a private consultation with our pharmacist.
Book a consultation Call 01453 810316
Address
14 Market Place, Berkeley, GL13 9BB
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm (closed 1–2pm)
Sat 9am–1pm
Sun Closed