Rotavirus vaccines

Two live attenuated oral rotavirus vaccines were licensed in 2006 for prevention of severe acute gastroenteritis in children: Rotarix(TM) (GSK), a human rotavirus vaccine with G1P[8] serotype characteristics and RotaTeq(TM) (Merck), a bovine-human reassortant vaccine expressing human G 1-4 and P[8] antigens. In prelicensure trials both vaccines showed high efficacy against severe RV gastroenteritis, low reactogenicity and no increased risk for intussusception (IS) (Ruiz-Palacios et al., 2006; Vesikari et al., 2006). Both vaccines have now been distributed in millions of doses. Post-marketing data have not shown any gross signal for IS with either vaccine, but further data and analyses are required for final conclusion on safety of these vaccines.