Rotavirus vaccine shows strong global results in preschoolers
A large-scale study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health confirms that rotavirus vaccines are highly effective at reducing mortality in children under five. The research analyzed data from 22 countries to demonstrate the vaccine's impact on global health.
Why it matters
This evidence supports the continued global push for routine childhood vaccinations to prevent preventable deaths from gastrointestinal illness.
Share Copied to clipboard Joshua Rappeneker / Flickr cc A new study in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health of children younger than 5 years old seeking care for acute gastroenteritis at hospitals or emergency departments in one of 22 countries from July 1, 2007, to Aug 24, 2023, shows the rotavirus vaccine offered strong protection against acute gastrointestinal illness and death.
Rotavirus accounts for an estimated 25% of diarrhea deaths in children under 5 globally. Yet despite a vaccine being widely available for 20 years, the International Vaccine Access Center estimates that 70 million infants remained unprotected in 2024.
The study used databases to include 27,252 children younger than 5 years enrolled from 22 countries. In total, 183 all-cause acute gastroenteritis deaths and 25 rotavirus-positive deaths were reported, the authors said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in