Rotavirus Vaccine Approved for use in Mexico

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 15 Jul 2004 - 9:00 PDT

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The announcement today by the Mexican Board of Health approving the use in Mexico of Rotarix (tm)--GlaxoSmithKline's new rotavirus vaccine--is a major step towards the eventual global use of vaccines to prevent rotavirus, which kills an estimated 400,000-500,000 children each year.

"This is an important global health development," said Dr. John Wecker, director of the Rotavirus Vaccine Program. "Rotavirus kills children, mostly in developing countries. A vaccine is the best option for preventing rotavirus and reducing child mortality. Today's announcement gives us great hope that soon rotavirus vaccines will be widely available. The challenge ahead for the global health community is to accelerate the introduction of rotavirus vaccines to the world's poorest countries, where the need is greatest."

Each year approximately 500,000 children die from diarrheal disease caused by rotavirus, and another 2 million are hospitalized. Some 85 percent of deaths occur in developing countries where access to treatment is limited; however, rotavirus diarrhea is a global infection and nearly every child in the world will suffer an episode of diarrhea caused by rotavirus before five years of age.

This announcement by the Mexican Board of Health comes on the heels of the 6th International Rotavirus Symposium, which was held last week in Mexico City. Underscoring the importance of rotavirus to Mexico and the region, Mexican Health Minister Dr. Julio Frenk opened the Symposium by saying that rotavirus "is a major, major public health priority" for his country. The symposium drew 350 scientists, clinicians, policy makers and donor organization representatives from around the world.

Also at the Symposium, Bolivian Vice Minister of Health Dr. Rosario Quiroga said that in her country, 36 percent of childhood deaths are due to diarrheal diseases, and that a rotavirus vaccine would therefore greatly increase childhood survival.

In 2003, with funding from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the Vaccine Fund, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program (http://www.rotavirusvaccine.org) was established at PATH, a nonprofit global health organization. The mission of the Rotavirus Vaccine Program is to reduce child morbidity and mortality from diarrheal disease by accelerating the availability of rotavirus vaccines appropriate for use in developing countries.

To achieve its mission, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program is harnessing the resources and commitment of the vaccine industry, public health organizations, donors, and governments to shape a new global health model for vaccine introduction.

This model focuses on both sides of the vaccine supply/demand equation to achieve stable vaccine supply at a feasible price established through predictable demand.