Decrease of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis to a Low Level Without Resurgence for Five Years After Universal RotaTeq...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Vaccinology
• Public health surveillance

Background:

• Finland's National Immunization Programme (NIP) introduced universal rotavirus (RV) vaccination with RotaTeq in September 2009.
• Previous reports indicated a reduction in RV gastroenteritis (GE) cases during the initial two years post-vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term impact of universal rotavirus vaccination on acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children.
• To assess changes in the proportion of RVGE and other causes of AGE, including norovirus, following vaccine introduction.

Main Methods:

• A prospective survey of acute GE (AGE) in children was conducted at Tampere University Hospital from 2006 to 2014.
• Surveys covered pre-NIP (2006-2008) and post-NIP periods (2009-2011 and 2012-2014).
• Stool samples were analyzed for RV and norovirus using real-time PCR and sequencing.

Main Results:

• The proportion of RVGE among all AGE cases decreased significantly from 52% pre-NIP to 12% in 2012-2014.
• Hospitalizations and outpatient visits for RVGE dropped by 90% post-NIP, while all AGE cases reduced by 59%.
• Norovirus emerged as a major cause of AGE, accounting for 29-34% of cases in the post-NIP era.

Conclusions:

• Rotavirus vaccination in Finland's NIP has led to a substantial reduction in hospital-diagnosed RVGE cases.
• No resurgence of RVGE was observed in the five years following vaccine introduction.
• High RV vaccination coverage effectively lowers RV activity but does not eliminate wild-type RV circulation.