Implementation of Rotavirus Surveillance and Vaccine Introduction - World Health Organization African Region, 2007-2016

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Nov 3;66(43):1192-1196. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6643a7.

Abstract

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe pediatric diarrhea globally, estimated to have caused 120,000 deaths among children aged <5 years in sub-Saharan Africa in 2013 (1). In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended rotavirus vaccination for all infants worldwide (2). Two rotavirus vaccines are currently licensed globally: the monovalent Rotarix vaccine (RV1, GlaxoSmithKline; 2-dose series) and the pentavalent RotaTeq vaccine (RV5, Merck; 3-dose series). This report describes progress of rotavirus vaccine introduction (3), coverage (using estimates from WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF]) (4), and impact on pediatric diarrhea hospitalizations in the WHO African Region. By December 2016, 31 (66%) of 47 countries in the WHO African Region had introduced rotavirus vaccine, including 26 that introduced RV1 and five that introduced RV5. Among these countries, rotavirus vaccination coverage (completed series) was 77%, according to WHO/UNICEF population-weighted estimates. In 12 countries with surveillance data available before and after vaccine introduction, the proportion of pediatric diarrhea hospitalizations that were rotavirus-positive declined 33%, from 39% preintroduction to 26% following rotavirus vaccine introduction. These results support introduction of rotavirus vaccine in the remaining countries in the region and continuation of rotavirus surveillance to monitor impact.

MeSH terms

  • Africa / epidemiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Feces / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs / organization & administration*
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Infant
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Rotavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Rotavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Rotavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Rotavirus Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Rotavirus Vaccines