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Reduction in pediatric rotavirus-related hospitalizations after universal rotavirus vaccination in Belgium
Marc Raes1, Danielle Strens, Anne Vergison
1Paediatric Department, Virga Jesse Ziekenhuis, Stadsomvaart 11, Hasselt, Belgium. marc.raes@virgajesse.be
Insights
Pediatric rotavirus vaccination significantly lowered hospitalizations for rotavirus in Belgian children. The vaccine proved effective in reducing cases in the first two years post-introduction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children.
- Pediatric vaccination programs aim to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of pediatric rotavirus vaccination on hospitalizations in Belgium.
- To assess the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines in a real-world setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective database study across 12 Belgian pediatric hospitals.
- Comparison of rotavirus-positive stool tests and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations before and after vaccine introduction.
- Analysis of data from children ≤ 5 years of age.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus-positive tests decreased significantly post-vaccination, with greater reductions in younger age groups (up to 80% in 2-24 months).
- Hospital admissions and hospitalization days for AGE in children ≤ 2 years declined by 33% and 36%, respectively.
- Vaccine effectiveness was observed across different age strata, including infants and older children.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric rotavirus vaccination led to a significant reduction in rotavirus-related hospitalizations in Belgium.
- The findings support the public health benefits of rotavirus vaccination programs for young children.
Background:
This study investigated the effect of pediatric vaccination against rotavirus on the number of rotavirus-related hospitalizations of children in Belgium.
Methods:
This retrospective database study was conducted at 12 pediatric hospitals in Belgium (546 pediatric beds, 30.6% of Belgian total). Children ≤ 5 years attending hospital for any reason were eligible if they had a rotavirus stool test at one of the study centers. The number of rotavirus-positive stool tests and hospitalizations for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were compared for prevaccination (June 2004-May 2006) and postvaccination (June 2007-May 2009) study periods.
Results:
The number of rotavirus-positive stool tests in children who were ≤ 5 years of age decreased from an average of 881 in the prevaccination period to 368 in the first year postvaccination period and 199 in the second. In children 2 to 24 months of age, the percentage reductions were 65% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62%, 69%) and 80% (95% CI: 77%, 83%) in the first and second years after vaccination, respectively, compared with prevaccination. In children <2 months, the reductions were 50% (95% CI: 36%, 64%) and 64% (95% CI: 49%, 76%), respectively, and in children >24 months the corresponding values were 20% (95% CI: 14%, 28%) and 64% (95% CI: 56%, 72%). The number of AGE-driven hospital admissions and hospitalization days for AGE declined by 33% and 36%, respectively, from prevaccination to the second year postvaccination in children ≤ 2 years of age.
Conclusions:
Pediatric rotavirus vaccination in Belgium significantly reduced rotavirus-related hospitalizations in the first and second years after introduction.
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