Potential cost-effectiveness of vaccination for rotavirus gastroenteritis in eight Latin American and Caribbean countries

Abstract

Vaccination would effectively reduce the disease burden and health care costs of rotavirus gastroenteritis in the Latin American and Caribbean countries analyzed here. From the health care system perspective, universal vaccination of infants is predicted to be cost-effective, based on current standards.

Rotavirus Group A Genotypes Detected Through Diarrheal Disease Surveillance in Haiti, 2012

“…Studies based on the molecular characterization of RVA into G and P genotypes in the Caribbean are scarce. However, similar to our findings in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, 13,14 St. Vincent, 15 and Cuba 16 have all reported G1P [8] as the most common strain in circulation, followed by G9P [8]. The detection of genotype G12 for the first time in Haiti further confirms the emergence of this genotype globally.…”

“…G1P [8] was detected in 4/14 (28.6%) specimens followed by G9P [8] which was detected in 3/14 samples (21.4%). We also detected single cases of G2P [8], G12P [6], G12P [8], G2P[NT], and G1P[NT] (NT = non-typeable) ( Table 1). Studies based on the molecular characterization of RVA into G and P genotypes in the Caribbean are scarce.…”

“…Samples collected in 2012 through diarrheal disease surveillance in Haiti were tested for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay and real time RT-PCR and positive samples were genotyped. The predominant genotypes were G1P [8] (29% prevalence) and G9P [8] (21%). The observed genotype prevalence was similar to that reported previously for other Caribbean countries.…”

“…Recent reports from these countries show significant declines in hospitalizations and deaths due to RVA and that these vaccines are safe and effective against severe RVA disease as well as a cost-effective intervention. 3,[6][7][8] The high estimated burden of RVA disease in Haitian children, together with the effectiveness of RVA vaccines to prevent childhood deaths and hospitalizations, accentuates the need for Haiti's introduction of RVA vaccines to save children's lives. Baseline data on the genotypes of circulating RVA strains in Haiti do not exist currently.…”

Impacto de la introducción de la vacuna contra el rotavirus en la hospitalización por gastroenteritis aguda grave en el Hospital del Niño de la Ciudad de Panamá

“…La mayoría de los casos de enfermedad por rotavirus se deben a los serotipos G1, G2, G3 y G4, no obstante el serotipo G5 desempeña un papel epidemiológico cada vez más importante en algunos países, como Brasil (3). Según datos de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, México, Panamá y Venezuela, la proporción de niños con gastroenteritis por rotavirus tratados en hospitales varía de 11,4% a 60,0% y más de la mitad de las hospitalizaciones se deben al serotipo G1 (4).…”