Rotavirus Vaccine Brings A New Hope to Africa

A new vaccine, BRV-VP, appears to be a practical way to protect millions of children against gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus, scientists reported.

BRV-PV is a low-cost, heat-stable, first of its kind for rotavirus prevention.

It was found to be 66.7% effective in preventing severe gastroenteritis caused by the virus, according to researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Epicentre, Paris.

Rotavirus is responsible for about 37% of deaths from diarrhea among children younger than 5 years of age each year, about 450,000 children.

Unlike other causes of diarrhea, improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene do not prevent rotavirus transmission. This means vaccination is essential to prevent death and complications from childhood diarrhea.

According to these researchers, to make a difference in countries where the rotavirus burden is highest and access to health care is low, vaccines need to be affordable, as well as safe, effective, and heat-stable.

Currently there are two rotavirus vaccines, but they are expensive and refrigeration must be maintained throughout the supply chain.

"This trial brings a vaccine which is adapted to African settings to those who need it most," said first author Sheila Isanaka, assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard Chan School.

"When the vaccine becomes widely available in Africa, it will help protect millions of the most vulnerable children," said Isanaka.

The vaccine has been licensed in India, but prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO) is needed before it can be purchased by the United Nations and government agencies.

"After the successful clinical trial of this new vaccine, we hope that it can be made available as soon as possible to children in Niger and across Africa," Isanaka said.

The study was supported by Médecins Sans Frontières Operational Center in Geneva and the Kavli Foundation. Epicentre receives core funding from Médecins Sans Frontières.