Rotavirus

Abstract

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhea and child mortality, especially in low-middle income countries. Although introduction of WHO-prequalified rotavirus vaccines into national immunization programs of more than 110 countries has substantially increased vaccination coverage, at the global level, rotavirus vaccination coverage remains low at around 50%. Further implementation of rotavirus immunization programs is expected to prevent additional pediatric deaths related to rotavirus diarrhea. New low-cost rotavirus vaccines that have received the WHO prequalification recently will augment rotavirus vaccine supply and help overcome economic barriers toward the increasing adoption of rotavirus vaccination programs.