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Rotavirus vaccine effectiveness in Hong Kong children
Karene Hoi Ting Yeung1, Jacqueline E Tate2, Ching Ching Chan1
1Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Insights
Rotavirus vaccines are highly effective in preventing childhood hospitalizations in Hong Kong. This study found 92% effectiveness against rotavirus hospitalizations, highlighting the importance of vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of childhood hospitalization in Hong Kong.
- Rotavirus vaccines have been available privately since 2006 but are not in the universal program.
- This study evaluates rotavirus vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines in preventing hospitalizations in Hong Kong children.
- To provide data supporting the potential inclusion of rotavirus vaccines in the national immunization program.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted during the 2014/2015 rotavirus season.
- Hospitalized acute gastroenteritis patients were recruited; cases tested positive for rotavirus, controls tested negative.
- Vaccine effectiveness was calculated using odds ratios from immunization records.
Main Results:
- Among 404 subjects with immunization records, 2.4% of cases and 24% of controls received at least one rotavirus vaccine dose.
- Unmatched vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization was 92% (95% CI: 75%-98%).
- Matched analyses showed 96% (age only) and 89% (age and admission date) effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus vaccine demonstrates high effectiveness in preventing rotavirus disease hospitalization in young children in Hong Kong.
- The findings support the significant public health benefit of rotavirus vaccination.
Background:
Rotavirus is a common infectious cause of childhood hospitalisation in Hong Kong. Rotavirus vaccines have been used in the private sector since licensure in 2006 but have not been incorporated in the government's universal Childhood Immunisation Programme. This study aimed to evaluate rotavirus vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation.
Methods:
This case-control study was conducted in the 2014/2015 rotavirus season in six public hospitals. Hospitalised acute gastroenteritis patients meeting inclusion criteria were recruited and copies of their immunisation records were collected. Case-patients were defined as enrolled subjects with stool specimens obtained in the first 48h of hospitalisation that tested positive for rotavirus, whereas control-patients were those with stool specimens obtained in the first 48h of hospitalisation testing negative for rotavirus. Vaccine effectiveness for administration of at least one dose of either Rotarix(®) (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) or RotaTeq(®) (Merck Research Laboratories) was calculated as 1 minus the odds ratio for rotavirus vaccination history for case-patients versus control-patients.
Results:
Among the 525 eligible subjects recruited, immunisation records were seen in 404 (77%) subjects. 31% (162/525 and 126/404) tested positive for rotavirus. In the 404 subjects assessed for vaccine effectiveness, 2.4% and 24% received at least 1 dose of either rotavirus vaccine in case- and control-patients respectively. The unmatched vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation for administration of at least one dose of either rotavirus vaccines was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 75%, 98%). The matched analyses by age only and both age and admission date showed 96% (95% CI: 72%, 100%) and 89% (95% CI: 51%, 97%) protection against rotavirus hospitalisation respectively.
Conclusions:
Rotavirus vaccine is highly effective in preventing hospitalisation from rotavirus disease in young Hong Kong children.
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