The Introduction of Rotavirus Vaccines into South Africa

Abstract

The massive impact of rotavirus-associated diarrhoea on the children of South Africa and Africa has long been acknowledged. Effective properly administered rotavirus vaccine could potentially prevent 170 000 – 210 000 childhood deaths per year or about one in 20 deaths in children under five years of age. While the rotavirus vaccines will not prevent all forms of diarrhoea in children it will prevent children from developing rotavirus-associated severe dehydrating diarrhoea that requires hospitalisation and avert deaths due to this common childhood pathogen.