Evaluation of rotavirus vaccines in Asia--are there lessons to be learnt?

Rotavirus mortality is highest in the Asia-Pacific region and rotavirus vaccines could have enormous impact here. Yet, live-attenuated orally administered rotavirus vaccines have been evaluated in a small number of immunogenicity studies in some Asian countries, where the immune responses have been documented to be moderate in low-income countries with high diarrhoeal disease burden and mortality, and high in middle-/high-income countries with little reported rotavirus deaths. This review of these rotavirus clinical trials examines the results observed and attempts to draw lessons to inform decision-making, aid design of additional clinical trials and guide vaccine development by local manufacturers.

Rotavirus burden among children in the newly independent states of the former union of soviet socialist republics: literature review and first-year results from the rotavirus surveillance network.

Background: Data on rotavirus burden among children in the 15 newly independent states of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, particularly contemporary data from poorer countries, are not widely available. These data are desired by policy makers to assess the value of rotavirus vaccination, especially since the GAVI Alliance approved financial support for the region's eligible countries. The Rotavirus Surveillance Network was established to provide these data.