The Indian government announced its intention to commence a nationwide rotavirus vaccination campaign by September 2019. This move will expand the existing state-based initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The Rotavac vaccine is the latest in a series of immunizations included under India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). These also include vaccines against Inactivated Polio, Measles, Rubella, Adult Japanese Encephalitis, Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia, and Meningitis caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib).
About Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a leading cause of diarrhea, often leading to severe dehydration. It is easily spread, especially among children, through contact with the feces of an infected person. For instance, if a child with rotavirus fails to wash their hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet and then touches food or other objects, the virus can be transmitted. The symptoms of this highly contagious disease include severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, stomach pain and dehydration.
World Health Organisation’s Recommendations
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests the first dose of the rotavirus vaccine should be administered as soon as possible after the child reaches six weeks of age, along with DTP vaccination which fights against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The world body also recommends the inclusion of rotavirus vaccine in the National Schedules of countries where under-five mortality due to diarrheal diseases exceeds 10 percent.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of Vaccines | Two vaccines are currently available against rotavirus. They include Rotarix by GlaxoSmithKline and Rota Teq by Merck |
| Administration of Rotarix | Rotarix is a monovalent vaccine that should be therapeutically administered orally in two doses between 6-12 weeks. |
| Administration of Rota Teq | Rota Teq is a pentavalent vaccine recommended to be orally administered in three doses starting at 6-12 weeks of age. |
Monovalent and Pentavalent Vaccines
Monovalent vaccines are developed to immunize against a single antigen or a single microorganism. On the other hand, a Pentavalent vaccine offers protection against five potentially life-threatening diseases, namely Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib). Consequently, the introduction of the rotavirus vaccination drive across India is a significant step towards protecting the health of the country’s children.