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Dear colleagues, With the latest issue of Rotavirus Update, we look ahead to key collaborations, starting with the expansion of diarrheal disease control efforts in Kenya. This exciting work has the potential to re-prioritize diarrheal disease control in Kenya and raise awareness about the role of rotavirus vaccines in achieving this ambitious goal. While Kenyan public health leaders have expressed their country’s unique challenges, this new partnership also may inform other control efforts throughout the region. Additionally, the 8th International Rotavirus Symposium is upon us. In just a few short weeks, we look forward to the opportunity to interact with the world’s scientific experts on rotavirus and to bring them together with decision-makers from countries considering rotavirus vaccine introduction with support from the GAVI Alliance. These planned introduction activities represent the fruits of our collective labor over the past several years. We also look back in this issue, highlighting an important event marking the past decade’s achievements in childhood immunization. PATH and our partners continue to be honored to be a part of such a momentous effort to safeguard the health of the world’s most vulnerable children. Sincerely, John R. Wecker, PhD Director, PATH Rotavirus Vaccine Program |
May 2008 In this Issue PATH implements diarrheal disease control initiative in Kenya GAVI Alliance conference notes achievements and barriers in global childhood immunization Merck updates RotaTeq® label information The 8th International Rotavirus Symposium Award recognizes contributions of leader in global rotavirus efforts Update on surveillance activities in Africa |
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PATH implements diarrheal disease control initiative in Kenya PATH recently launched a pilot program in Kenya’s Western Province aimed at building awareness for new diarrheal disease control interventions. Interactions with provincial and district public health officials informed the project’s planned activities, which include workshops with parents and providers over the coming weeks to assess current practices and knowledge gaps around diarrheal disease control. Building on the needs identified through these workshops, PATH will then begin training providers and educating community members on diarrheal disease control interventions, including rotavirus vaccines, zinc treatment, and low-osmolarity oral rehydration solution, while also generating greater support for hand washing and exclusive breastfeeding. Results from the project will be help develop Kenya’s National Plan for Diarrheal Disease Control, and activities were recently endorsed by Kenya’s Child Health Inter-agency Coordinating Committee (ICC). The ICC has appointed a technical advisory group to monitor progress and make recommendations. GAVI Alliance conference notes achievements and barriers in global childhood immunization A recent symposium in Barcelona highlighted the impact of immunization on saving children’s lives in the world’s poorest countries. Policymakers, researchers, and funders came together at the event, “Advancing Immunization in Developing Countries: New Horizons in Children’s Health,” to review achievements, explore options for overcoming barriers, and call for continued support for immunization in developing countries. According to WHO estimates, GAVI programs have saved the lives of nearly 3 million children since 2000. Among the achievements noted was the accelerated availability of new vaccines, including rotavirus, in developing countries that carry the greatest burden. The event marked three years since stakeholders signed the Barcelona Declaration toward increased investment in current and future vaccines. Both the Government of Spain and La Caixa, the country’s largest corporate foundation—which cosponsored the event along with the Barcelona Centre for International Health Research—have made considerable contributions to global childhood immunization programs, particularly to GAVI’s International Finance Facility for Immunization. Merck updates RotaTeq® label information Merck & Co., Inc., updated the post-marketing section of its US Product Circular for RotaTeq® to indicate the occurrence of death following intussception (a rare, life-threatening blockage of the intestine). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Merck agreed to update the label to stimulate early reporting of potential adverse events and to note the potential severity of intussusception. A report to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) does not mean that a causal relationship between an event and vaccination has been established—just that the event occurred after vaccination. Prior to the FDA’s approval of RotaTeq® in 2006, a clinical trial with more than 70,000 subjects found that the vaccine was not associated with an increased risk of intussusception, or other serious adverse events, when compared to placebo. Data presented to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices following the first year of RotaTeq® use in the US demonstrated that the rate of intussusception in infants receiving the vaccine was not greater than expected by chance alone, indicating that the vaccine does not pose an elevated risk for intussusception (specific data and limitations are presented in the slide set entitled “RotaTeq® vaccine reports to VAERS.”) In the US, the expected background rate of naturally-occurring intussusception in unvaccinated infants of the same age is 18 to 43 cases per 100,000, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of a suspected association between intussusception and an earlier rotavirus vaccine (RotaShield®), the CDC and FDA are closely monitoring the safety of new rotavirus vaccines. PATH is supporting a collaboration between the CDC, FDA, and the Pan American Health Organization to establish active surveillance of intussusception among vaccinated and unvaccinated children in two Latin American countries that have introduced rotavirus vaccines. The 8th International Rotavirus Symposium Registration is ongoing for the 8th International Rotavirus Symposium, June 3 to 4, 2008, in Istanbul, Turkey. This event will bring together public health professionals, ministry officials, and representatives from industry and the donor community to provide updates on clinical trials of new rotavirus vaccines, early post-marketing data on vaccine impact and safety, issues in vaccine policy and introduction, and other relevant topics. Simultaneous English/Russian translation will be provided. Registration details and other relevant information, including a preliminary program, are available at the conference website. Award recognizes contributions of leader in global rotavirus efforts Rotavirus expert Dr. Roger Glass was honored at this week’s Annual Conference on Vaccine Research, where he received the Charles Merieux Award for his extensive work to bring rotavirus vaccines to the developing world. Currently serving as director of the US National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center, Dr. Glass established the Viral Gastroenteritis Unit of the US CDC, which has led national and global rotavirus efforts, including surveillance and vaccine introduction, for several years. Update on surveillance activities in Africa The latest issue of the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network newsletter provides an update on surveillance activities in participating countries and summarizes recent training activities. Open positions with PATH immunization programs At PATH we believe that every child deserves a healthy start in life. PATH's Immunization Solutions Strategic Program supports the integration of vaccines for disease control in developing countries by determining disease burden; conducting clinical trials; establishing the health economics of vaccine use; and advocating for appropriate policies. In addition, we implement activities that improve the accessibility of high-quality immunization services. If you'd like to help lead our growing efforts, consider applying for one of these positions: · Senior Scientific Advisor (position #3274) · Program Officer (postion #3258) · AVI Director (position #3252) If you are interested in applying for any of these positions with PATH's Immunizations Solutions Strategic Program—visit PATH's employment page to see the relevant job announcement and application instructions. Help us spread the word! Forward this e-mail or let us know of people we should reach out to. Rotavirus Vaccine Program website Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control Resource Center |
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The PATH Rotavirus Vaccine Program is supported by the GAVI Alliance. |
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Questions or comments about the PATH Rotavirus Vaccine Program? Contact us at rvpinfo@path.org.
Masthead photo by Richard Lord.
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