This presentation focusses on rotavirus infection in infants and young children worldwide. The presenter, Evan Simpson, is associated with PATH's Rotavirus Vaccine Program, which he describes in the following summary. Selected objectives of this programme include:

• stimulating demand in "early adopter" countries
• positioning the Rotavirus Vaccine as the next step in Childhood Diahrroeal Disease (CDD) interventions, and complementing strategies such as Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), nutrition, and breastfeeding
• working in partnership with the child survival community to advocate for the vaccine
• demonstrating the contribution of a rotavirus vaccine to the successful achievement of Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

Summary provided by the presenter

Each year nearly 500,000 children die from diahrroeal disease caused by rotavirus, and another 2 million are hospitalised. Most deaths occur in developing countries where access to treatment is limited; however, rotavirus diahrroea is a global infection and nearly every child in the world will suffer an episode of diahrroea caused by rotavirus before 5 years of age.[1]

In 2003, with funding from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the Vaccine Fund, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program was established at PATH, a nonprofit global health organisation. The mission of the Rotavirus Vaccine Program is to reduce child morbidity and mortality from diahrroeal disease by accelerating the availability of rotavirus vaccines appropriate for use in developing countries.

To achieve its mission, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program is harnessing the resources and commitment of the vaccine industry, public health organisations, donors, and governments to shape a new global health model for vaccine introduction. This model focuses on both sides of the vaccine supply/demand equation to achieve stable vaccine supply at a feasible price established through predictable demand.

On the demand side, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program will provide potential vaccine purchasers at the global, national, and local levels with the information necessary to make evidence-based decisions about the purchase and use of a rotavirus vaccine. This information will include disease burden estimates, vaccine safety and efficacy, financing and economic data, and immunisation policy analysis.

On the supply side, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program will collect data necessary to conduct demand forecasts and market surveys, and information related to international supply requirements. The aim is to overcome demand uncertainty, which has been a significant barrier to ensuring vaccine availability in developing countries. In addition, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program will help to advance certain late-stage vaccine candidates by supporting some clinical trial activities in developing countries.

Over the next several years the Rotavirus Vaccine Program, along with its strategic partners, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will test this model in several developing countries. Our aim is to demonstrate and replicate a successful model in other countries, and eventually make rotavirus vaccines accessible worldwide.

[1] Parashar UD, Hummelmann EG, Bresee JS, Miller MA, Glass RI. Global illness and deaths caused by rotavirus disease in children. Emgerging Infectious Diseases. Vol. 9, No. 5, May 2003.

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Summary sent from Evan Simpson to The Communication Initiative on March 4 2004.