Pediatria pre prax 6/2008

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ROTAVIRAL INFECTION, POSSIBILITIES OF THE VACCINATION

Rotaviruses cause annually 111–125 million of illnesses leading to 0.5–1 million of deaths worldwide. As many as 3,028 sporadic cases and 458 cases from 18 outbreaks were reported to the Public Health Service in 2007 in the Czech Republic. No case was lethal. In 2007 4,571 rotavirus infection were laboratory confirmed in 83 laboratories of the Czech Republic. Specific morbidity among children under 3 years calculated on the laboratory data was 717.9 cases/100,000 population/year; among children under 5 years it was 594.1/100,000. With registration of 2 new vaccines (Rotarix, RotaTeq) it is realistic to gradually fulfil extended WHO immunisation programme that intends to introduce vaccinations against these infections. Both vaccines despite different properties confirm a high level of imunogenicity and protection. They are gradually introduced to the market not only in the European countries but also in other countries. Numbers of immunised children are till very low in the Czech Republic.

Keywords: Rotarix, RotaTeq, rotavirus infection, vaccination, Czech Republic.