Exploring the Efficacy, Safety of Rotavirus Vaccines

This article was originally published by Contemporary Pediatrics.

A meta-analysis in JAMA Pediatrics looks at whether vaccines can prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Investigators searched the databases Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science using terms such as “rotavirus” and “vaccin*.” Cohort and case-control studies as well as randomized clinical trials that enrolled more than 100 children younger than 5 years were included in the meta-analysis if they reported information on effectiveness, safety, or immunogenicity. The primary outcomes included rotavirus gastroenteritis, severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, and rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalization. Outcomes for safety included serious adverse events, mortality, and intussusception.

A total of 58 studies met the criteria—20 randomized clinical trials and 38 case-control studies. The studies showed that rotavi- rus vaccine, live, oral suspension (Rotarix; GlaxoSmithKline) led to a significant reduction in rotavirus gastroenteritis and rotavirus gas- troenteritis hospitalization risk in children who were fully vacci- nated. The rotavirus vaccine, live, oral, pentavalent (RotaTeq; Merck) showed similar outcomes in fully vaccinated children. The vaccines also showed high protection against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.

The investigators concluded that the high efficacy and safety profiles of rotavirus vaccines highlighted the importance of providing the vaccine to children everywhere. The similar profiles of both vaccines can make selection easier for public health authorities.

For reference, visit contemporarypediatrics.com