Correlates of Protection against Rotavirus Disease and Immune Response: Need for Further Studies

Rotavirus is a major cause of severe dehydrating acute gastroenteritis especially in infants and young children [1,2]. It is responsible for over 200,000 deaths annually3 and this is only this number following introduction of effective rotavirus vaccines and other preventive measures. It is contagious and transmissions in some parts of the world have seasonal peaks [3]. Following the introduction of effective oral vaccines in 2006 and 2008, there has been a significant decline in the disease burden in many parts of the world (dropping from pre vaccination mortality of over 500,000 to just over 200,000) [4]. Through a global collaborative advocacy and funding support led by Gavi, many developing countries have introduced the rotavirus vaccine into their routine immunization programmes. However, the vaccines have not been introduced in some countries yet [5]. The two major oral vaccines, Rotarix and Rotateq have been shown in large trials to be highly effective in developed countries (80-90%6) but less effective in developing countries (39-49%) [6].