Introduction: In December 2010, rotavirus vaccination was included into the national immunization program (NIP) with RotaTeq given in 3 doses. The study aim is to assess the impact of universal rotavirus immunization on the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE).
Methods: In an ongoing hospital-based surveillance network that was established in 2007 information was collected on children hospitalized due to acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in Hillel Yaffe, Carmel and Laniado medical centers, serving ~ 60,000 children under 5 years of age. Stools samples were obtained and tested for rotavirus. Data on clinic visits due to AGE were obtained from the database of Maccabi Health Services HMO.
Results: Following the introduction of RotaTeq to the NIP in Israel, the incidence of RVGE hospitalization has decreased significantly by 54% in children < 5 years of age; this decrease was greater in children aged 0-23 months (60-64%) than in toddlers aged 24-59 months (36%). A 29% decrease was also observed in all-cause AGE. Clinic visits due to AGE and RVGE in the community decreased significantly after the introduction of RotaTeq to NIP. In the pre-universal vaccination period, rotavirus showed typical winter seasonality with the highest incidences in December; however, the winter peak was substantially blunted in the universal immunization period. Data from the Soroka Rotavirus study conducted in Southern Israel during 2006-2014 showed similar findings. Additional findings will be discussed.
Conclusions: Surveillance should continue to monitor the sustainability of the impressive reduction in RVGE disease burden observed following universal rotavirus vaccination.
