New Generation Rotavirus Vaccines

Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is a vaccine-preventable disease that causes hospitalization and deaths due to severe gastroenteritis in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 801000 children die annually due to gastroenteritis. Improvement in hygienic conditions is insufficient for preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis due to transmission via droplets and resistance to disinfectants; therefore, vaccination is the most effective method for prevention. At present, there are two licensed rotavirus vaccines, monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1, Rotarix, GlaxoSmithKline) and pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5, RotaTeq, Merck). The WHO offered to integrate the rotavirus vaccine to the national vaccination programs of all countries worldwide since 2009. Current licensed vaccines have since demonstrated efficacy against severe gastroenteritis and hospitalization in developed countries. In countries with low income and high disease vaccination rate is low because of difficulties in vaccine supply and high cost of the vaccine and consideration about diminished efficacy of the other oral vaccines. Therefore, several groups are led to develop around the world, new rotavirus vaccines. In this review, we provide a summary of the new licensed vaccines with ongoing clinical trials and the locally licensed vaccines.