India to vaccinate children against Rotavirus, experts advise caution

Among children under five, Rotavirus has been estimated to be responsible for two million hospitalisation and 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. An estimated one lakh children die in India every year of the virus.

Experts believe the introduction of vaccine in India will help prevent one third of the total dehydration cases but certain precautions are necessary. “Its introduction will lead to 20-30 per cent cost benefit to families and states. But the vaccine whose efficacy is demonstrated in India should be introduced here, as its performance outside South Asia does not guarantee that these vaccines will work in Asia. Oral vaccines do less well in Asia, going by the experience with oral polio vaccine,” said Dr MK Bhan, secretary, Department of Biotechnology, adding a well-managed programme was needed to reach out to the poor.

Doctors say a lot of homework is needed before introducing the vaccine. “We will soon see the vaccine for Rotavirus from abroad. There are a lot of strains which cause Rotavirus. We should see whether we will be able to combat the type of strain that we have in India. The vaccine was brought in US but was withdrawn later. It is, therefore, important to check its efficacy before introducing it,” said Dr IPS Kochar, senior consultant, paediatrician endocrinologist, Fortis Hospital.

There are many strains of Rotavirus. The vaccine protects against Rotavirus gastro-enteritis caused by G1, G3, G4 and G9 strains.