Dukoral — Oral Vaccine for Travellers' Diarrhea & Cholera

Dukoral is an oral vaccine protecting against travellers' diarrhea (ETEC) and cholera. Essential for travelers to developing countries with high diarrhea risk. Available at Peel Travel Clinic in Mississauga — no referral required.

Dr. Saldanha at Peel Travel Clinic provides physician-led travel health consultations, reviewing your destination, itinerary, and medical history to determine whether Dukoral is right for your trip. Call (905) 890-2757 or walk in — same-week appointments available.

What Is Travellers' Diarrhea and Cholera?

Travellers' Diarrhea: A common condition affecting 30–40% of travelers to developing countries. Caused primarily by ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli) bacteria found in contaminated food or water. Usually self-limiting but can disrupt travel plans.

Cholera: A severe diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. Can cause rapid dehydration and death if untreated. Transmission is via contaminated water, primarily in areas with poor sanitation. Rare in vaccinated, cautious travelers but important protection for high-risk areas.

Who Should Get the Dukoral Vaccine?

✓ Travelers to developing countries in Africa, Asia, Central/South America, Middle East
✓ Travelers with weak or compromised immune systems
✓ Travelers staying in rural areas or places with uncertain water/food safety
✓ Those with prior travellers' diarrhea or GI sensitivity

Vaccine Details

Dose

Adults: 2 doses (1 week apart). Children 2–6: 3 doses (weeks 0, 2–4, and another 2–4 weeks later)

Protection

Begins 1 week after final dose. Full protection by 1–2 weeks post-vaccination.

Duration

Cholera: ~2 years. ETEC diarrhea: ~3 months. Booster recommended if traveling again after 2–3 years.

Cost & Coverage

Dukoral is not covered by OHIP. See current pricing on our vaccination fees page. Many employer benefit plans reimburse travel vaccines — we provide official receipts for all vaccinations.

How to Take Dukoral

Dukoral is administered as an oral vaccine (by mouth) in a single dose reconstituted with a buffer solution (sodium bicarbonate).

Timing: Take on an empty stomach — 1 hour before food or 2+ hours after eating

Preparation: Mix vaccine with the provided sodium bicarbonate buffer in a glass of cool water

Spacing: Adults need 2 doses at least 1 week apart (minimum 6 days). Children 2–6 need 3 doses.

Timing before travel: Complete vaccination at least 1 week before travel (2+ weeks preferred for full protection)

Side Effects

Dukoral is well-tolerated. Most people experience no or very mild side effects:

Mild (Uncommon)

Mild abdominal discomfort, loose stool, nausea — resolve within 1–2 days. Cramping resolves quickly in most cases.

Serious (Very Rare)

Severe allergic reactions are very rare. Our physician reviews your medical history and allergies before administration.

Who Should Not Get the Dukoral Vaccine?

• Children under 2 years
• People with severe allergies to vaccine components
• Those with a previous severe allergic reaction to this vaccine
• Individuals with acute gastrointestinal illness (wait until recovery)
• Immunocompromised individuals (discuss with physician; not a live vaccine but caution advised)

Discuss your full medical history and any GI conditions with our physician before vaccination.

Which Destinations Require Dukoral?

Dukoral is recommended for travelers visiting regions where travellers' diarrhea and cholera are endemic. Dr. Saldanha recommends Dukoral most frequently for travel to:

South Asia

• India (especially rural areas)
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka

Sub-Saharan Africa

• Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
• Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal
• Ethiopia, Zimbabwe
• DRC and Central Africa
• West African coast

Latin America

• Mexico (rural regions)
• Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti
• Peru, Bolivia
• Dominican Republic
• Parts of Brazil

Southeast Asia

• Indonesia, Philippines
• Cambodia, Myanmar
• Laos, Vietnam (rural)
• Papua New Guinea

Middle East

• Yemen
• Iraq (rural)
• Syria (conflict areas)
• Parts of Egypt

High-Risk Travellers

• Adventure / backpacker travel
• Long-term stays (>3 weeks)
• Aid workers, missionaries
• Visiting friends & relatives
• Medical volunteers abroad

Risk varies by specific destination, accommodation, and travel style. Book a travel health consultation with Dr. Saldanha for a personalized assessment.

Additional Prevention is Essential

While Dukoral provides valuable protection, food and water safety practices remain your best defense against travellers' diarrhea and cholera:

• Drink only bottled or boiled water; avoid tap water in high-risk areas
• Avoid ice from unknown sources
• Eat only hot, well-cooked foods; avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, and dairy
• Wash hands frequently with soap and clean water
• Carry oral rehydration salts and antimotility agents (Imodium) as backup

40+

Years of Clinical Experience

ISTM

Travel Medicine Society Member

CAME

Transport Canada Designated

YF Centre

Yellow Fever Designated Centre

550 Matheson Blvd W, Unit 107, Mississauga, Ontario L5R 4B8 · (905) 890-2757

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dukoral prevent all travellers' diarrhea?

Dukoral provides ~60% protection against ETEC travellers' diarrhea (the most common bacterial cause) and ~90% protection against cholera. It does not protect against all causes of diarrhea (viruses, other bacteria, parasites). Food and water precautions remain essential. Our physician will review your specific destination risk and recommend whether Dukoral is appropriate for you.

How effective is the Dukoral vaccine?

Dukoral is ~90% effective against cholera and ~60% effective against ETEC travellers' diarrhea. Protection begins 1 week after the final dose and is most beneficial for short-term travelers (3 weeks to 3 months) visiting developing countries with high diarrhea risk. Ask our physician about your specific trip duration and destination.

How far in advance should I get the Dukoral vaccine?

Dukoral requires two doses administered 1 week apart (minimum 6 days). Protection starts 1 week after the final dose, so you should complete both doses at least 2 weeks before travel. However, a single dose provides ~50% protection against ETEC if needed for last-minute trips. Discuss timing with our physician.

Can children take the Dukoral vaccine?

Yes, children 2 years and older can receive Dukoral. Children 2-6 years receive three doses (weeks 0, 2-4, and 2-4 weeks later), while children 6+ receive the adult schedule of two doses (1 week apart). Infants under 2 years should not receive Dukoral. Consult our physician about appropriate vaccination for your child.

How much does Dukoral cost in Ontario?

Dukoral is not covered by OHIP in Ontario — the full cost is paid out-of-pocket. The price covers both required doses plus the physician travel health consultation. Current fees are listed on our vaccination fees page at peeltravelclinic.com/peel-travel-clinic-vaccinations/. Most employer extended health benefit plans reimburse travel vaccines when an official receipt is provided — we issue receipts for all vaccinations. Call (905) 890-2757 to confirm same-week availability and current pricing.

Why Peel Travel Clinic?

Mississauga's trusted travel medicine clinic — physician-led, private-pay, no referral needed.

PHAC-Designated Yellow Fever Centre

One of the few clinics in Mississauga authorized to administer the Yellow Fever vaccine and issue the official PHAC vaccination certificate required for international travel.

Physician-Led Consultations

Dr. Saldanha personally reviews your itinerary, health history, and destination risks — so your vaccine plan is specific to your trip, not a generic checklist.

Conveniently Located in Mississauga

Located at 550 Matheson Blvd W, Unit 107 — near Heartland Town Centre, minutes from Hwy 401 and 403. Free on-site parking.

No Referral Required

Book directly by phone. No family doctor referral needed. We see patients from across Mississauga, Brampton, and the Peel Region.

Destination-Specific Travel Advice

Whether you're travelling to India, West Africa, Southeast Asia, or South America — we tailor your vaccines and malaria prevention to your exact itinerary and activities.

Official Receipts for Insurance

Travel vaccines are not covered by OHIP. We provide official receipts so you can submit to private insurance or employer benefit plans for potential reimbursement.

Book Your Dukoral Vaccination Today

Get Dukoral oral vaccine at Peel Travel Clinic, Mississauga. No referral needed — physician-led travel health consultations for individuals and families.

Call (905) 890-2757

Mon–Fri. Private pay. Official receipts provided.

Disclaimer: Vaccine requirements and health recommendations vary by itinerary, medical history, and current health advisories. The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace a personalized travel health consultation. Please book an appointment with our physician for advice specific to your trip.