Rotavirus vaccines have reduced the number of children hospitalized for severe rotavirus-associated diarrhea by as much as 94 percent in some years, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study, “
Rotavirus Vaccines and Health Care Utilization forDiarrhea in the United States (2007-2011), in the July 2014 Pediatrics (published online June 9), analyzed hospital data around diarrhea illnesses both before and after rotavirus vaccine was first recommended in 2006. Rotavirus-associated hospitalizations and all diarrhea hospitalizations were substantially lower for children younger than 5 years old from 2007 to 2011, especially among 1-year-olds. During 2009-2011 there was also a significant reduction in emergency department and outpatient visits. In the 2009-2010 rotavirus season, rates of rotavirus-related hospitalizations declined by 94 percent compared with pre-vaccine rates. Unvaccinated children also had lower rates of hospitalization in the post-vaccine years, due to indirect benefits of vaccination. Overall, during 2007 to 2011, the study authors estimate rotavirus vaccination reduced diarrhea-related health care visits by 1.5 million visits, for a savings of $924 million in the U.S. Study authors conclude rotavirus vaccination has resulted in a substantial and sustained decline in diarrhea-associated health care use and related costs.