Study: Rotavirus vaccine effective but may require booster after infancy

The rotavirus vaccine is effective in protecting children against the potentially deadly disease during the first year of life but may require a booster shot after infancy to maintain efficacy, says a new study published in the in the August 2012 issue of the journal Pediatrics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rotavirus is caused by a virus that results in inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms of rotavirus include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Without treatment, the diarrhea associated with rotavirus can lead to dehydration and even death, especially among young babies. Prior to the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in 2006, rotavirus was the leading cause of death among infants. In developing countries where use of the rotavirus vaccine is still not widespread, rotavirus remains a deadly health problem. In recent years, the rotavirus vaccine has come under attack because of a...