Preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis: do you have the facts?

From 1 July 2007 two new rotavirus vaccines licensed for use in Australia (RotaTeq CSL Biotherapies/Merck and Rotarix Glaxo Smith Kline) will be funded for the National Immunisation Program. The vaccines differ with respect to their composition and the timing and mode of administration. Both have been evaluated in huge randomised trials and shown to be highly effective in preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis, including severe disease requiring hospital admission. Neither has been associated with an increased rate of intussusception; however, surveillance for adverse effects following vaccination will be important. As rotavirus infection is ubiquitous in young children, funding of this vaccine will significantly decrease the enormous morbidity and costs associated with this disease in our community.