Children should not die of diarrhea. With rotavirus vaccines they don't have to.
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WHO: No health risk associated with discovery of porcine circovirus in rotavirus vaccines
Rotavirus vaccines demonstrate efficacy in developing world
WHO recommends global use of rotavirus vaccines
First nationally representative data show major impact of rotavirus vaccines in US
Download a summary of RVP achievements and next steps to ensure global access to rotavirus vaccines
Each year more than 500,000 children die from diarrheal disease caused by rotavirus, and another two million are hospitalized. Most deaths occur in developing countries where access to treatment is limited; however, nearly every child in the world will suffer a rotavirus infection before age five.
PATH's Rotavirus Vaccine Program (RVP) is a partnership with the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Established in 2003 with funding from the GAVI Alliance, RVP harnesses the commitment and resources of the vaccine industry, public health organizations, donors, and governments to demonstrate and replicate a successful model for vaccine introduction—and to make rotavirus vaccines accessible to children worldwide.
* Source: Parashar U, Gibson C, Bresee J, Glass R. Rotavirus and severe childhood diarrhea. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2006; 12(2):304-306.
Photos by Richard Lord and Gordon Perkin.
