Story perspectives

South Africa Launches Trials for First Oral Cholera Vaccine

11/15/2025

Center

South Africa Develops Vaccine

South Africa has initiated clinical trials of its first domestically developed oral cholera vaccine, developed by Biovac.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the trials are taking place in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal to assess safety in adults.
If successful, the vaccine could be available by 2028.
Participants in the trials, including Lerato Maleka and Shadrack Makutu, highlight the urgent need for effective cholera solutions amid ongoing outbreaks.

Left

Africa CDC Responds

In 2025, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reports Africa's worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, with about 300,000 confirmed or suspected cases and over 7,000 deaths.
Angola and Burundi are affected, due to poor water access and conflicts.
Sudan reports 71,728 cases and 2,012 deaths, worsened by war-damaged infrastructure.
Africa CDC urges addressing root causes such as overcrowding and sanitation in refugee camps.

1 of 2

South Africa Develops Vaccine

South Africa has initiated clinical trials of its first domestically developed oral cholera vaccine, developed by Biovac.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the trials are taking place in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal to assess safety in adults.
If successful, the vaccine could be available by 2028.
Participants in the trials, including Lerato Maleka and Shadrack Makutu, highlight the urgent need for effective cholera solutions amid ongoing outbreaks.

1 / 2