Decline in Type 1 Diabetes in Young Children After Rotavirus Vaccination: Data From 8 Countries

Vaccination for rotavirus has been a component of national immunization programs in more than 100 countries, principally intended to decrease hospitalizations and deaths from gastroenteritis in young children. Rotavirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis in infants but can additionally result in apoptosis of pancreatic cells and hyperglycemia. Therefore, it is suspected to be a contributor to Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the incidence of Type 1 diabetes in young children decreased after a rotavirus vaccination program was introduced.

Publications were assembled with country-specific incidence rates of Type 1 diabetes in children aged <5 years. Data regarding the introduction of national rotavirus vaccination programs were available from the WHO. Using an interrupted time series design, prevaccination rates of Type 1 diabetes were compared with postvaccination rates.

Data regarding incidence rates of Type 1 diabetes in children aged <5 years before and after vaccine introduction were available from 8 countries. In 7 of these countries (Australia, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, and Wales), the incidence of Type 1 diabetes in young children decreased after the rotavirus vaccination program began. In 1 country (Dominican Republic), the number of annual cases of Type 1 diabetes was too small to evaluate an effect.

The data suggest that a national rotavirus vaccination program may contribute to lower rates of Type 1 diabetes in young children.