2nd Global meeting on implementing new and under-utilized vaccines, 23-25 June 2008
Rotavirus
Two rotavirus vaccines are commercially available. One of these has been prequalified for use in Latin America and Western Europe. Support from the GAVI Alliance for their introduction in GAVI-eligible countries in the WHO regions of the Americas and Europe became available in 2007. Thus far, three countries from Latin America have had GAVI applications approved and altogether 16 countries are already using this vaccine in their national immunization programmes. No GAVI-eligible European countries have as yet submitted applications. Introduction in other parts of the world is pending the conclusion of safety and efficacy studies. Participants heard about the experience of use of this vaccine in Latin America and issues relating to the decision-making process in countries in Europe. The focus of vaccine safety monitoring will continue to be the occurrence of intussusception among children vaccinated before and after six months of age.
Recommendations
- Partners to continue to advocate for political and financial commitment for new vaccine introduction.
- Base decisions at country-level on solid technical and cost-effectiveness data.
- Undertake effective planning prior to vaccine introduction, particularly with regard to training, cold chain capacity assessment and vaccine supply requirements, given the markedly increased storage volumes required by the current presentations of this vaccine.