High hopes are placed on the new rotaviurs vaccine, the main cause of gastroenteritis, since it is believed that they could avoid many deaths by dehydration in underdeveloped countries, where diarrhea is one of the leading causes of infant death, but the first. It is also possible to save thousands of euros in developed countries, as it is one of the first reasons for consultation and hospital admissions.
All this is still in the air, at the expense of analyzing the real efficacy of the vaccine in the population, due to the short time that this prevention measure has been commercialized. But a study published in the prestigious scientific journal "The Lancet" in which the efficacy of one of the two vaccines marketed, specifically Rotarix of the Glaxo-Smith-Kline commercial house, analyzes that the vaccine has a efficiency of 87.1% The study covers a period of six months, between September 2004 and February 2005. They include 3,994 children between six and 14 weeks of age. 2,646 of these were given 2 oral doses of the vaccine and 1,348 were given a placebo. In addition, everyone completed their normal childhood vaccination calendar. It was carried out in 6 European countries among which is Spain.
The cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis were minor in the vaccinated population, managing to avoid up to 96% of hospitalizations for this cause. The data obtained allow those responsible for the study to affirm that "two doses of Rotarix together with routine childhood immunization provide high protection against gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus, regardless of their severity"
The study also discusses whether the same effectiveness could be seen in underdeveloped countries such as Africans. On this issue, many doubts arise since the rotavirus in these countries does not have the seasonality it has in Europe, but threatens throughout the year. At the moment no conclusion can be reached.
Many more studies will be necessary that allow us to arrive at statements such as these about the true efficacy of these two new vaccines and their possible incorporation in our vaccination calendar and in that of developing countries.
Via | The world In Babies and more | The rotavirus vaccine approved
