Another vaccine success story

Rotavirus vaccine provided at reduced price in Africa at greatly reduced prices, which will no doubt save many lives.

Posted on August 27, 2013 by admin

For children in the developed world (and their parents), rotavirus—a childhood “equivalent” to norovirus (the stomach flu)—is very unpleasant, but usually self-limiting. However, the vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which often means a trip to the hospital.

Indeed, as we reported back in May, before the only two rotavirus vaccines were approved in 2006, (Rotarix by GlaxoSmithKline and RotaTeq by Merck) the disease led to more than 200,000 annual emergency room visits, 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations and 20 to 60 child deaths in the United States alone. But once the vaccine became available, hospitalizations from the infection dropped by 96 percent and severe cases dropped by 98 percent. Pretty amazing.

And if that sounds good, the news is far better in undeveloped countries, where about 500,000 children used to die annually from rotavirus—especially in places where rehydration is not readily available…..To Read More….