Rotarix: A Rotavirus Vaccine for the World

Single rotavirus infections have been reported to protect humans against subsequent illnesses caused by both homotypic and heterotypic rotaviruses. On the basis of these observations, a G1P[8] strain of human rotavirus named 89-12 was attenuated by multiple passages in cell culture and was developed into a vaccine candidate (herein referred to as the RIX4414 vaccine). This vaccine is currently licensed in >100 countries worldwide, many of which have a universal recommendation for all infants. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the RIX4414 vaccine for use in the United States in April 2008. This vaccine has been found to provide a reduction in the incidence of severe rotavirus disease of >80% in all trials including a developing country. No increased risk of intussusception has been associated with this vaccine, nor has the vaccine been found to interfere with responses to other routine immunizations. This article describes the history of the development of the RIX4414 vaccine.