Arvay M.L., Curns A.T., Terp S., Armah G., Wontuo P., Parashar U.D., Binka F., Glass R.I., Widdowson M.-A.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Atlanta, GA, United States; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, Atlanta, GA, United States; Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Navrongo Health Research Center, Navrongo, Ghana
Arvay, M.L., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Atlanta, GA, United States; Curns, A.T., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Atlanta, GA, United States; Terp, S., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, Atlanta, GA, United States; Armah, G., Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Wontuo, P., Navrongo Health Research Center, Navrongo, Ghana; Parashar, U.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Atlanta, GA, United States; Binka, F., School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; Glass, R.I., Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Widdowson, M.-A., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Atlanta, GA, United States
Background. Effective rotavirus vaccines could substantially reduce the ∼500,000 deaths due to rotavirus disease per year worldwide, although the impact will depend on vaccine effectiveness, timing of administration, and coverage. We modeled vaccine impact on rotavirus-associated mortality in rural Ghana. Methods. All deaths due to acute diarrhea among children during 1998-2004 in the Kassena-Nankana District of Ghana were identified, and the number of deaths due to rotavirus disease was estimated using hospital laboratory surveillance data. Assuming rotavirus vaccine would be included in the current Expanded Program on Immunization schedule, we estimated the reduction in rotavirus-associated mortality with use of the current coverage and timing of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine administration and various age-restricted schedules. Results. Of the 381 deaths due to diarrhea, 131 (34%) were estimated to be caused by rotavirus infection. On the basis of current diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine coverage and timing, a 90% efficacious 3-dose rotavirus vaccine would prevent 70% of deaths due to rotavirus infection if administered without age restrictions, 53% if only initiated among children <12 weeks of age, and 52% if the course also was completed by 32 weeks of age. Conclusions. Rotavirus vaccine has the potential to substantially reduce rotavirus-associated mortality in rural Ghana. Although timely vaccination should be encouraged, extending the current age recommendation for initiation of rotavirus vaccination could increase the coverage and impact of vaccination. © 2009 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.