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Conquering rotavirus: From discovery to global vaccine implementation
Author(s) -
Bines Julie E,
Kirkwood Carl D
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.12815
Subject(s) - medicine , rotavirus , rotavirus vaccine , rotavirus gastroenteritis , rotavirus infections , pediatrics , acute gastroenteritis , diarrhea , environmental health , virology , intensive care medicine
Rotavirus, the commonest cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis world‐wide, was discovered less than 50 years ago. It causes about 450 000 deaths per year in children <5 years of age and hospitalises millions more. Rotavirus vaccines have been shown to have a major impact on hospital admissions due to rotavirus gastroenteritis and all‐cause gastroenteritis and reduce mortality in developing countries. In A ustralia, there has been a 71% decrease in rotavirus hospitalisations in children 0–5 years of age. From the discovery of rotavirus as the major causative agent for severe gastroenteritis, through vaccine development and vaccine post‐marketing surveillance activities, A ustralian scientists and clinicians have played a significant role in the global effort to reduce the burden of rotavirus infection.