Impact of Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction for South Australian Children

Overview

This project aims to assess the impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction on severe gastroenteritis in South Australian children. Prevalence of rotavirus coded hospitalisations and all-cause gastroenteritis hospitalisations will be compared for a two year period prior to introduction of the vaccine and a two year period following introduction of the vaccine. Severity of rotavirus coded admissions during the periods will also be assessed. Hypotheses: 1. Introduction of the rotavirus vaccine will result in an 80% reduction in hospitalisations for rotavirus positive gastroenteritis (ICD code A0.80) in children less than two years of age. 2. Introduction of rotavirus vaccine will result in an 80% reduction in Paediatric Emergency presentations for rotavirus positive gastroenteritis in children under two years of age. 3. Introduction of the rotavirus vaccine will result in a 50% reduction in hospitalisations for all cause gastroenteritis (ICD codes A0.00-A0.90) in children less than two years of age. 4. Introduction of the rotavirus vaccine will result in a 50% reduction in Paediatric Emergency presentations for all cause gastroenteritis in children less than two years of age. 5. Introduction of rotavirus vaccine will result in a reduction in hospitalisation and Paediatric Emergency presentations in children aged four and five years with rotavirus positive gastroenteritis (unvaccinated cohort). 6. There will be no difference in severity of disease as scored by the Vesikari and/or clark severity score prior to and post introduction of rotavirus vaccine

This project aims to assess vaccine effectiveness in the field following introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in South Australian children. It is important to confirm the benefits of the vaccine post licensure to ensure the best health care options for children. Between July 2007 - June 2008 at the Women's and Children's Hospital, there were approximately 2000 gastroenteritis patient samples analysed, with approximately 200 of these confirmed as rotavirus positive (10%). The current vaccines available in Australia (Rotarix® and RotaTeq® ) are licensed for administration in infants up to six months of age as safety data is not yet available for older children. It is therefore important to determine whether vaccination according to the current Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule can also demonstrate a positive change (less disease and less severe disease) in the burden of rotavirus disease in older unvaccinated children.