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Chinese study: Universal rotavirus immunization may be cost-effective
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Universal rotavirus vaccination may be effective in preventing as many as 1,700 incidences of severe diarrhea per 5,000 newborns, according to results of a recent study conducted in China.
Researchers conducted population-based surveillance of children aged younger than 5 years in Zhengding County of Hebei Province between October 2004 and January 2005. They applied a decision-analytic model to determine the cost-effectiveness of rotavirus immunization using actual data.
There were 500 episodes of diarrhea registered during the study period. Of these episodes, 25% occurred among children who were positive for rotavirus. Of that 25%, 50% occurred in patients who had been hospitalized.
The incidence rate of rotavirus infection during the 14-week peak diarrhea season in this population was 61.4 cases per 1,000 children per year.
The statistical model indicated that among a cohort of 5,000 newborns in China, a universal rotavirus immunization program could prevent 1,765 cases of rotavirus-related diarrhea. Researchers said the program also may lead to 882 fewer hospitalizations among patients ¡Ü5.
Cost analysis demonstrated that, if 2004 prices for rotavirus immunization were used, a universal program could induce a savings of $14,112 from a societal perspective and $34,751 from a patient perspective for 5,000 newborns.
Wan XY et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;49:1202-1210.