ePrints

Assessing the likely impact of a rotavirus vaccination program in England: The contribution of syndromic surveillance

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Sarah O'Brien

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

© 2015 Crown copyright 2015.Background: In July 2013, a rotavirus vaccination program for 2- to 3-month-olds was introduced in the United Kingdom. We present an initial impact analysis of this new vaccine program using national syndromic surveillance systems. Methods: General practitioner (GP) in-hours, GP out-of-hours, and emergency department (ED) syndromic surveillance systems were used to monitor GP consultations and ED visits for gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and vomiting. Data were stratified by age group and compared between pre- and postvaccine-year rotavirus seasons. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and percentage ratios were calculated for GP in-hours consultations and GP out-of-hours and ED data, respectively. Results: There was a significant reduction in gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and vomiting GP in-hours consultations in children aged 0-4 years when comparing the rotavirus season in the pre- and postvaccine years (P <. 001 for all indicators). IRRs illustrated a 26%-33% and 23%-31% decrease in gastroenteritis incidence in the <1 and 1-4 years age groups, respectively, across the syndromic surveillance systems. There was also an 8% decrease recorded in the 5-14 years age group in the GP in-hours and ED systems. Conclusions: Syndromic surveillance revealed a marked decline in gastroenteritis, coinciding with the introduction of the new rotavirus vaccine program in England. The largest reduction in disease was observed in infants, although some impact was also demonstrated in children aged 1-4 and 5-14 years, suggesting possible herd protection in older age groups. This study was limited to the first postvaccine year, and further analysis is required to assess the longer-term impact of the vaccine.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Bawa Z, Elliot AJ, Morbey RA, Ladhani S, Cunliffe NA, O'Brien SJ, Regan M, Smith GE, Weinstein RA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Clinical Infectious Diseases

Year: 2015

Volume: 61

Issue: 1

Pages: 77-85

Online publication date: 31/03/2015

Acceptance date: 21/03/2015

ISSN (print): 1058-4838

ISSN (electronic): 1537-6591

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ264

DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ264

PubMed id: 25828997

Altmetrics

Share