Pediatria pre prax 2/2010

The significance of rotaviral infection, current possibilities of the vaccination

Rotaviruses cause annually 111–125 million of illnesses leading to 0,4–0,7 million of deaths worldwide. As many as 4,519 sporadic cases and 459 cases from 8 outbreaks were reported to the Public Health Service in 2008 in the Czech Republic. No case was lethal. In 2008 6,060 rotavirus infection were laboratory confirmed in 81 laboratories of the Czech Republic. Specific morbidity among children under 3 years calculated on the laboratory data was 827,8 cases/100,000 population/year; among children under 5 years it was 710,8/100,000. With registration of 2 new vaccines (Rotarix, RotaTeq) it is realistic 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.