Shanchol has received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO). This enables global procurement agencies such as UNICEF, Gavi and PAHO to source Shanchol for use in countries where cholera remains a major public health challenge.

“Shanchol was conceived as an affordable, accessible solution for countries facing repeated cholera outbreaks. The WHO prequalification of vaccine carries forward that founding mission,” said Dr KI Varaprasad Reddy, Founder, Shantha Biotechnics.

Over the years, close to 40 million doses of Shanchol have been supplied worldwide through vaccination campaigns, led by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

After production was paused under its former ownership, GCBC Vaccines (formerly Shantha) has resumed manufacturing, with WHO conducting an on-site inspection and transferring the prequalification.

Shanchol remains the only oral cholera vaccine manufactured in India with WHO prequalification, underscoring India’s critical role in ensuring continuity of global supply.