There is a shortfall of vaccinations for rotavirus
(Picture: PA Archive)Glaxo Smith Klein has confirmed a shortfall of around four million doses of a vaccine to prevent the deadly rotavirus infection in children in four African countries.
In August, the supply of Rotarix vaccines to children in Tanzania, Kenya, Senegal, and Cameroon ran out, or was close to running out, after disruptions with biopharma company Glaxo Smith Klein saw a drop to 42 million from its expected 46 million, reports Reuters.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that up to 200,000 children a year die of the highly contagious infection, which is the leading cause of severe, dehydrating gastroenteritis in children under the age of five.
The British drugmaker had already cut its agreed vaccine deliveries by 10 million a year for the period 2022-2028, according to the Vaccine Alliance, Gavi.
Speaking to Reuters, a spokesperson for Glaxo Smith Klein said the company acknowledged the fall in supply, and that it was implementing plans to address the deficit: “GSK communicated to Gavi earlier this year on manufacturing challenges leading to an unplanned, short-term drop in Rotarix production for 2022, for which priority mitigation plans are fully in place.”
Glaxo Smith Klein did not comment on what the challenges were, nor how they were being rectified, despite speculation that they may have been due to staffing shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But, what is the virus? Here is everything you need to know.
What is rotavirus?
Rotavirus is a contagious virus that causes diarrhoea. Before the development of a vaccine, many children globally had become infected by the virus at least once, by the age of five.
The infection can usually be treated at home, with extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Occasionally, severe dehydration requires receiving fluids intravenously in hospital.
The virus causes inflammation in the stomach, as well as intestines, leading to severe diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, belly pain, and dehydration in infants, young children, and some adults.
Good hygiene, including washing hands regularly, is recommended, but vaccination is the best way to prevent the contraction of the rotavirus infection.
What are the symptoms of rotavirus?
Rotavirus infections usually start within two days of exposure to the virus, with early symptoms including fever and vomiting, as well as up to three to seven days of watery diarrhoea, as well as abdominal pain.
After two days, the main symptoms of the virus are:
- Fever, vomiting, and stomach pain - these symptoms usually fade after a few days.
- Diarrhoea often starts three days after the other symptoms have faded. As the virus works its way through your child’s system, the diarrhoea can hang on for up to seven days.
In healthy adults, a rotavirus infection may cause only mild signs and symptoms or none at all.
When should you call a medical professional?
Call your child’s doctor if your child:
- has diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours
- has frequent vomiting
- has black or tarry stool
- has a temperature of 38.9° C or higher
- appears tired, irritable, or in pain
- displays signs or symptoms of dehydration, including dry mouth, crying without tears, little or no urination, unusual sleepiness, or unresponsiveness
If you’re an adult, call your doctor if:
- liquids aren’t kept down for more than 24 hours
- diarrhoea lasts more than two days
- there is blood in vomit or bowel movements
- your temperature is higher than 39.4° C
- you display signs of dehydration
Who can have the rotavirus vaccine?
The rotavirus vaccination is available on the NHS, as part of the childhood vaccination programme for babies, aged eight weeks and 12 weeks. Supplies shouldn’t be affected in the U.K.
A baby will need two rotavirus vaccinations, at least weeks apart, to be fully protected and, if they miss the first dose, they can have it at up to 15 weeks. If they miss the second dose, a baby can have the vaccine up to 24 weeks.
Is the rotavirus vaccine safe?
There’s a lot of evidence showing that the rotavirus vaccine is safe, according to NHS.uk. The brand name for the vaccine is Rotarix, and it’s been used in many countries for more than 10 years.
It is routinely given to children in the U.S. and many other countries around the world, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
What causes the rotavirus?
Rotavirus is present in an infected person’s stool two days before symptoms appear and up to 10 days after symptoms lessen, reports Mayoclinic.org.
During this time, the virus spreads quickly through hand-to-mouth contact, even if the infected person doesn’t have symptoms.
The virus is able to spread to anything that’s touched by an infected person, so it’s important to make sure hands are washed frequently. The virus can also remain on surfaces that haven’t been disinfected for weeks, or even months.
It is also possible to be infected by rotavirus more than once, even if you’ve had the vaccine. However, repeat infections are typically less severe.
