Rotavirus Vaccine Has Prevented 380,000 Gastroenteritis-Related Hospitalizations

An estimated 382,000 acute gastroenteritis (AGE)-associated hospitalizations have been averted since the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in 2006, according to a recent study.

In their study, researchers analyzed data of children under 5 years old admitted with AGE to community and academic hospitals in 26 states. The nationwide impact of the rotavirus vaccine was estimated, and researchers compared hospitalization rates for AGE from 2000 to 2006 with rates from 2008 to 2013. In addition, researchers assessed the impact of the vaccine on rotavirus-associated health care costs.
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From 2008 to 2013, AGE incidence decreased from 31% to 55%, with greater reductions occurring in later years. Since the introduction of the vaccine, 382,000 hospitalizations were avoided, resulting in a reduction of $1.228 billion in hospital costs.

“The introduction of routine rotavirus vaccination in 2006 was followed by substantial reductions in the rate of AGE-related hospitalizations,” the researchers concluded. “Our results provide additional information that supports the effect that the implementation of rotavirus vaccines exerted on AGE-associated morbidity and costs in the United States.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Leshem E, Tate JE, Steiner CA, et al. National estimates of reductions in acute gastroenteritis–related hospitalizations and associated costs in US children after implementation of rotavirus vaccines [published online August 10, 2017]. Pediatr Infect Dis J. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpids/pix057.