Childhood vaccination against rotavirus could reduce health inequalities in the UK

New research led by the University of Liverpool has found that childhood vaccination against rotavirus has greatest benefit in the most deprived communities and could contribute to reducing health inequalities in the UK.

The infectious stomach bug, which can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, is most common in the under-fives. An oral rotavirus vaccine was introduced in the UK in 2013 and is given as two doses for babies aged 8 and 12 weeks.

In a new study published in BMC Medicine, a team from the University's Institute of Infection and Global Health evaluated the impact that the rotavirus vaccination has had on communities in Merseyside in relation to socioeconomic deprivation.

Using routine health data collected by GPs, walk-in centers and hospitals, the researchers found that the incidence of gastrointestinal disease has decreased across all levels of the health-care system in children aged 5 and under since the vaccine's introduction. For example, rotavirus hospitalizations reduced by 80%, and walk- in center and GP attendances for infectious gastroenteritis reduced by 32% and 13%, respectively.

Importantly, vaccine impact was found to be greatest among the most deprived populations despite lower vaccine uptake in these areas. For infants in the most deprived communities, the hospitalizations averted for acute gastroenteritis was double that found in the least deprived communities.

Lead author Dan Hungerford, said: "Rotavirus vaccine is proving to be highly effective at preventing severe childhood gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus in the UK.

"We found that like for other childhood vaccinations, rotavirus vaccine uptake is lowest in the most deprived communities. But, crucially, in spite of this finding and because of the higher baseline disease burden, the rotavirus vaccine is having the biggest impact in these communities.

"In England a disproportionately high number of young children live in the most deprived communities. Therefore, if we prioritize vaccination in the most deprived populations the rotavirus vaccine is likely to give the greatest health benefit and can contribute to reducing health inequalities."

The research also suggests that rotavirus vaccination is helping to reduce the burden on the healthcare system for gastrointestinal disease in unvaccinated adults.

The study was part of a long-term programme of rotavirus research led by Professor Nigel Cunliffe at the University of Liverpool's Centre for Global Vaccine Research.

The researchers are continuing to investigate the longer-term impact of rotavirus vaccination on a range of disease outcomes both regionally and globally. In Liverpool, they are currently running public engagement activities and conducting community-based research to better understand the barriers and enablers to childhood vaccinations.