A recent meta-analysis investigating the association between intussusception (IS) and rotavirus (RV) vaccination demonstrated an absence of risk up to 2 years after vaccination. Meta-analyses including only randomized clinical trials are inadequate to identify a potential increased risk of rare adverse events such as IS. The study conducted failed to discuss relevant limitations. Additionally, the safety profiles of newer RV vaccines, evaluated in clinical studies with limited sample size, were considered comparable with that of the well-established and widely used RV vaccines, RotaTeq and Rotarix. We, therefore, re-emphasize that extensive and updated evidence from post-marketing surveillance indicates a slight increased risk of IS, mostly within 7 days of RV vaccination, with a benefit/risk profile assessment in favor of RV vaccination.
Keywords: Rotavirus vaccines; intussusception; safety.