Incidence of rotavirus and all-cause diarrhea in northeast Brazil following the introduction of a national vaccination program.

Background & Aims: Rotavirus vaccines were introduced in Brazil in 2006; we evaluated their effects in the state of Sergipe, Brazil.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey of children with diarrhea attending emergency services in Aracaju, Brazil, between October 2006 and April 2008 and a cluster sampling survey to assess vaccination coverage. Vaccine efficacy was assessed using the screening method.

Predominance of rotavirus P[4]G2 in a vaccinated population, Brazil.

We identified 21 rotaviruses in 129 patients with diarrhea in a Brazilian city with high rotavirus vaccine coverage. All rotaviruses were genotype P[4]G2 with 1 mixed infection with P[NT]G9. Although virus predominance could have occurred randomly, the vaccine may be less protective against P[4]G2.