Rotavirus: Evidence for Vaccination

Rotavirus (RV) is the most common cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in children in developing as well as in industrialized nations. Annually more than 25 million outpatient visits and 2 million hospitalizations are attributable to RV infection in subjects less than 5 years of age. In developing nations about 600000 deaths are caused by RV each year. RV infection is responsible for 21-58% of hospital admission for acute gastroenteritis in Europe. Recently 2 new live orally administered vaccines - Rotarix and RotaTeq - that provide wide protection against RV infections have been developed. These 2 vaccines have recently undergone extensive testing for safety and efficacy. Indeed 2 recent large clinical trials have demonstrated their excellent efficacy and safety including absence of vaccine-associated intussusception in young infants. (excerpt)