The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has set up a sub-group to consider the benefits of introducing a rotavirus vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule.
Rotavirus gastroenteritis is highly contagious and one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting in children under five. But it can be largely prevented with a vaccine.
The Nappy Study, a two-year joint research project by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Health Protection Agency, presented at a parliamentary briefing last month, looked at the impact of diarrhoea and vomiting for children and their families and for the NHS, as well as considering ways to reduce the spread of infection.
Dr Keith Lindley of the Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital said, 'Rotavirus isn't as nasty a disease as meningitis, but it is more prevalent. Every single baby gets the bug, usually more than once. Sometimes it is mild, but sometimes it is severe and it can cause lasting damage.'
It is believed around 14 children in the UK aged under five years die from the virus each year. It is the most common cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea worldwide in children under five.
A child with rotavirus gastroenteritis may have up to 20 episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhoea in 24 hours. It typically spreads through faecal and oral transmissions, and on items handled by an infectious person, such as food, water or toys.
It accounts for between 20 and 50 per cent of child hospitalisations for gastroenteritis and is estimated to cost the NHS £20m to £29m per year.
Dr Lindley added, 'It's an expensive illness for the NHS, although this would need to be weighed against the cost of a vaccine. In the US two million children have had the vaccine and it has proved safe.
