Rotavirus vaccine

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children throughout the world. The first licensed rotavirus vaccine (RRV-TV) was withdrawn in 1999 because of its association with intussusception. Two recent large clinical trials of two new rotavirus vaccines (5-valent rotavirus vaccine and monovalent rotavirus vaccine) showed 90 similar to 95% efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis. There was no evidence of increased rates of intussusception with theses two vaccines. One of the two vaccines has been introduced into the childhood vaccination schedule in some countries. Five-valent rotavirus vaccine is licensed in Korea in June 2007. This review is focused on the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of 5-valent rotavirus vaccine and provides the methods of immunization of 5-valent rotavirus vaccine.