Vaccination as a Prevention Strategy to Control Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children

Abstract

Among the viral causes of gastroenteritis, rotavirus is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children of less than 5 years. Globally, every year, it accounts for more than 500,000 deaths. The main mode of transmission is by faecal-oral route. Although in most of the children, the Rotavirus infection remains asymptomatic, in some leads to acute diarrhoea and severe dehydration. Moreover, malnutrition contributes to the severity of disease and death. The prompt diagnosis and medical interventions including rehydration save the patient. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends to include rotavirus vaccine in the national immunization schedule. The available two rotavirus vaccines proved to be safe and effective. The rise of incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis in developed countries even with the improved supply of safe potable water, sanitation, and proper hygienic measures, clearly indicate the need for vaccination. This study recommends the implementation of rotavirus vaccination in all national immunization schedule as a prevention strategy to control morbidity and mortality in infants and young children.

Keywords: Rotavirus, viral gastroenteritis, rotavirus vaccine, prevention, acute diarrhoea, infantile diarrhoea.