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Dear colleagues, The recent International Rotavirus Symposium in Lisbon, Portugal, emphasized the key role of collaboration in our efforts to make lifesaving rotavirus vaccines accessible in the developing world. Bringing together disease and vaccine experts, representatives from international health organizations, manufacturers, and national decision-makers, the event provided an opportunity to learn from each other's experiences and brainstorm solutions to the challenges of vaccine introduction. | ||
| Though attendees represented
many different countries and organizations, a common thread of commitment
was evident throughout. The dedication to the global rotavirus vaccine
agenda that was shared by all in attendance provides inspiration for
tackling the challenges ahead. Many thanks to our partners for their
continued contributions, and particularly to the Sabin Vaccine Institute,
WHO, and CDC for their instrumental roles in convening this year's
symposium. Regards,  John R. Wecker, PhD Director, Rotavirus Vaccine Program |
August
2006 In this
issue Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control efforts move forward Library offers online access to essential rotavirus resources Rotavirus vaccine safety and efficacy studies now available in translation | |
International Rotavirus Symposium highlights landmark achievements The 7th International Rotavirus Symposium was marked by enthusiasm and anticipation as leaders from the field celebrated the successful introduction of rotavirus vaccines in multiple countries and looked ahead to their eventual use in the developing world. Convened by the Sabin Vaccine Institute, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the event was held June 12 - 13 in Lisbon, Portugal. Presentations from vaccine manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline and Merck & Co., Inc., provided a review of vaccine efficacy and safety, as well as follow-up data among specific populations. Representatives from Brazil discussed lessons learned from the country's recent public sector introduction. Finally, cost-effectiveness and surveillance data from the US and Europe, respectively, were also presented. Click here for further details on highlights from the event's presentations and panel discussions. The meeting's complete proceedings will be available this fall. Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control efforts move forward RVP's Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control Initiative (EDD) will take center stage at upcoming health care training workshops organized by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health. This educational outreach supports the country's aims to re-prioritize diarrheal disease control efforts and raise awareness about existing interventions and new technologies, such as rotavirus vaccines and zinc treatment. Training will reach a spectrum of health care professionals, from hospital directors to primary care physicians, nurses, and community health workers.  Additionally, the annual
Nicaraguan Pediatric Congress will convene in August and will feature EDD
as a central theme. Dr. Paulo Froes, Immunization Officer for the UNICEF
Americas and Caribbean region and a key partner to RVP in
this initiative, will
serve as the event's plenary speaker, presenting the EDD concept along
with information on rotavirus vaccines. EDD will also be on the agenda for
the Nicaraguan Medical Association Congress in early September. To provide universal access to essential resources on diarrheal disease control interventions, PATH and UNICEF recently launched the online Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control Resource Center. Comprehensive resources are available for download and listed by intervention: oral rehydration therapy, zinc treatment, rotavirus vaccines, breastfeeding, and sanitation/hygiene. Listings also include Spanish-language materials. Library offers online access to essential rotavirus resources The web's most comprehensive collection of materials on rotavirus disease and vaccines is now just a click away at PATH's Vaccine Resource Library. We have gathered key research articles and related documents to provide global access to technically-accurate and up-to-date information on a wide array of issues and topics. Along with general materials on rotavirus disease and vaccines, the rotavirus resource library links to documents addressing disease burden, cost-effectiveness, vaccine efficacy, adverse events monitoring, and vaccine introduction from the world's premier scientific journals. PATH's Vaccine Resource Library will be updated frequently with timely documents, and we also welcome feedback and suggestions from our visitors. Questions and correspondence should be emailed to info@path.org. Rotavirus vaccine safety and efficacy studies now available in translation Recent articles published in the New England Journal of Medicine presenting landmark data on the safety and efficacy of rotavirus vaccines in Latin America, Europe, and the United States are now available on-line in English, Spanish, French, and Russian. Click here to access these studies in PDF format. Online resources The PATH Rotavirus Vaccine Program http://www.rotavirusvaccine.org/ PATH rotavirus resource library http://www.path.org/vaccineresources/rotavirus Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control Resource Center http://www.eddcontrol.org/ PubMed preformatted rotavirus search http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=rotavirus PubMed preformatted rotavirus vaccine search http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=rotavirus+vaccine |
| The PATH Rotavirus Vaccine
Program is supported by the GAVI
Alliance. |
| Questions
or comments about PATH's rotavirus vaccine program? Contact us at rvpinfo@path.org. © 2004-2006, PATH |