Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Abstract Background The introduction of an oral live-attenuated monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix®) into the UK infant immunization program in July 2013 was associated with large reductions in laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections and hospitalizations due to acute gastroenteritis (AGE) within 12 months. Here we report the 5-year impact of the program in England. Methods Individuals with laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections during 2000–2018 and all-cause hospitalizations for AGE during 2007–2018 were identified using national electronic records. Age-specific incidence rate ratios (IRR) and estimated numbers of cases averted in each of the 5 postvaccination years were calculated. Results There were 206 389 laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections and 3 657 651 hospitalizations for all-cause AGE. Reductions of 69–83% in laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections in all age groups and 77–88% in infants aged <1 year in each of the 5 postvaccine years are reported, with 11 386–11 633 cases averted annually. All-cause AGE hospitalizations were reduced by 12–35% across all age-groups and by 25–48% in <1 year-olds in the 5 postvaccine years, with 24 474–49 278 hospitalizations averted annually. There was strong evidence of indirect (herd) protection, with at least 50% and up to 80% of the non-specific end point of all-cause gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations averted being in unvaccinated age-groups, primarily older adults. Seasonal changes include a possible shift from annual to biennial peaks with lower peak incidence and longer seasons. Conclusions There were large and sustained declines in both laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections and AGE hospitalizations across all age groups in each of the 5 years since the introduction of the UK rotavirus program.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/cid/ciab460

Type

Journal article

Journal

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication Date

11/02/2022

Volume

74

Pages

437 - 445