Rotavirus vaccine reduces child hospitalisation, scientists find

A vaccination against rotavirus has been shown to dramatically reduce the hospitalisation rates for the infection among infants, a new scientific study has revealed.

Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea, and severe infection with rotavirus gastroenteritis is the main cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhoea in babies and young children.

While deaths from the infection are relatively rare in the western world, it is a key cause of hospitalisation.

However, according to a new study published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal and undertaken by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, it was found that cases of hospitalisation for rotavirus dropped by between 87 to 96 per cent following vaccination.

"Our data confirm that the introduction of rotavirus vaccination among US children has dramatically decreased rotavirus hospitalisation rates. The reductions observed in 2008 far exceeded what was expected on the basis of vaccine coverage and effectiveness," said study author Dr Daniel C Payne.

He added that continued surveillance on the matter is essential.