Infant rotavirus vaccination may provide indirect protection to older children and adults in the United States

J Infect Dis. 2011 Oct 1;204(7):980-6. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir492. Epub 2011 Aug 29.

Abstract

Following the introduction of rotavirus vaccination in the United States, rotavirus and cause-unspecified gastroenteritis discharges significantly decreased in 2008 in the 0-4, 5-14, and 15-24-year age groups, with significant reductions observed in March, the historic peak rotavirus month, in all age groups. We estimate that 15% of the total 66 000 averted hospitalizations and 20% of the $204 million in averted direct medical costs attributable to the vaccination program were among unvaccinated 5-24 year-olds. This study demonstrates a previously unrecognized burden of severe rotavirus in the population >5 years and the primacy of very young children in the transmission of rotavirus.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea / economics
  • Diarrhea / virology
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / economics
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Hospitalization / economics
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Herd / immunology*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rotavirus / immunology
  • Rotavirus Infections / economics
  • Rotavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Rotavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Rotavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • United States
  • Vaccination* / economics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Rotavirus Vaccines