HOUSTON – (Jan. 19, 2010) – Vaccinating children against rotavirus before they become toddlers greatly diminishes their chances of contracting the disease, according to the results of a study conducted by Texas Children’s Hospital that is published in the February 2010 issue of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Julie Boom, director of infant and childhood immunizations at the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital, led the study on vaccine effectiveness against rotavirus, a disease that causes severe diarrhea in children and is often accompanied by fever and vomiting.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the study showed that children ages 15 days through 23 months who received all three doses of the RotaTeq® vaccine were protected against rotavirus. Even with two of the recommended three doses, the study found the vaccine was effective 80 percent of the time.

There are currently two rotavirus vaccines available: RotaTeq® and Rotarix®. Both vaccines are given by mouth and prevent diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus; they do not prevent diarrhea or vomiting caused by other germs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive a complete series of the rotavirus vaccine by 8 months of age.

“Parents must ensure their babies are vaccinated at the recommended times,” Dr. Boom said. “The evidence is clear that this is the best form of protection we have to keep our children safe against this virus, which is very contagious and spreads easily.”

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) in infants and young children in the United States. Routine vaccination of U.S. infants with rotavirus vaccine, initiated in 2006, is recommended for children between 6 weeks and 8 months of age. Young children, especially children less than two years of age, are at the highest risk for getting rotavirus. Children are most likely to get rotavirus between November and May, depending on the part of the country where they reside.

Dr. Boom first presented her findings at the 46th annual Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) meeting in October, 2008 describing the impact of the rotavirus vaccine in reducing hospitalizations for diarrhea among U.S. children and the effectiveness of the vaccine in routine use. The research was conducted March through July 2008 to assess the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines among children 15 days through 23 months of age.

Dr. Boom’s research on the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine continues. She is currently in the midst of a major two-year study launched in November, 2009, that focuses on children ages 15 days through 59 months.

The study is part of a six-site vaccine surveillance network that will compare study results on the assessment of vaccine effectiveness and rotavirus disease burden. This latest study is part of the Texas Department of State Health Services initiative and funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

About the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research
The Vaccine Awareness and Research Center at Texas Children’s Hospital promotes healthier children and families. This is done by providing parents and health care professionals with the latest information and recommendations on vaccines for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women and adults through its Web site, www.vaccine.texaschildrens.org and by conducting research that contributes to effective vaccine delivery models. An ongoing program, the center is the creation of four Texas Children’s Hospital physicians who are experts in the fields of vaccine education and research, pediatrics, infectious diseases and adolescent medicine.

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is ranked in the top 10 best children’s hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Texas Children’s also operates the nation’s largest primary pediatric care network, with over 40 offices throughout the greater Houston community. Texas Children’s has embarked on a $1.5 billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes a neurological research institute, a comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on high risk births, and a community hospital in suburban West Houston. Get the latest Texas Children’s news on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tch_news