Rotavirus vaccines are an important measure to prevent and control severe rotavirus-associated diarrhea morbidity and mortality. The vaccine prevents about 74% of all rotavirus cases, reduced doctor visits for Rotavirus diarrhea by 86% and hospitalizations and emergency department visits by 94.5%.
Since rotavirus gastroenteritis is responsible for substantial proportion of mortality among under five years children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, introduction of rotavirus vaccine is an important tool towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal number 4 (MDG4). The Accelerating the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in the countries in the region is deemed necessary.
Introduction of rotavirus vaccine should also be undertaken as part of an integrated diarrheal disease control programme.
