Rotavirus vaccination in the neonatal intensive care units: where are we? A rapid review of recent evidence

Global and Swedish review of rotavirus vaccines showed considerable reductions in morbidity and mortality

Rotavirus infections cause severe gastroenteritis in small children, with both high morbidity and mortality. The rotavirus vaccine has been recommended by the World Health Organization since 2009 and was being used by 108 countries by 2019. It joined Sweden's national immunisation programme that year, after 5 years of selective regional use. This review summarises the baseline facts and evidence, the most common vaccines and the global direct and indirect effects, with a special focus on Sweden. CONCLUSION: The vaccine has had a considerable impact on global and Swedish morbidity and mortality, but some indirect effects and socioeconomic differentials need research.

National guidelines recommend rotavirus vaccination to inpatient preterm infants

AIM

The aim was to perform a literature search of the latest evidence of administration of dose 1 of rotavirus vaccine to children admitted in neonatal intensive care or special care unit settings.

METHODS

The literature search focused on the outcome of serious adverse events of rotavirus vaccination in vaccinated children and on possible symptomatic infection in controls and in unvaccinated children via transmission of the vaccine virus in the same ward. Results and guidelines were discussed with a working group selected from the national advisory group of child health. Also, a survey to neonatal care units in Sweden was sent out due to the subject.

RESULTS

Administration of rotavirus vaccine is safe for age-eligible preterm children and unvaccinated children in the same ward. A satisfactory immune response has been shown, and basic hygiene routines are enough. Also, hospitalised age-eligible children with paediatric surgical conditions should be considered the rotavirus vaccine.

CONCLUSION

The Swedish Public Health Agency recommends that preterm infants as well as children who are admitted for other reasons in the neonatal ward be vaccinated with dose 1 against rotavirus infection when hospitalised and when age eligible.