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Call to make Rotavirus vaccine must

DUBAI -- Health authorities are pushing for a hospital-based surveillance system to report and record cases of Rotavirus, a viral infection in children that it costs hospitals up to $4.6 million a year.

Passing recommendations based on 43 regional studies over the past 10 years, health authorities are calling for inclusion of the Rotavirus vaccine in the national immunisation schedule. Currently, the vaccination is optional and available in the private sector.

Up to 60 per cent of all gastroenteritis cases are due to Rotavirus while between 14 and 45 per cent of all hospitalisation cases are also due to the same reason, said a senior health official while giving details of the studies. “These are reasonably big numbers,” said Dr Aizeldin Ibrahim, Acting Director of Public Health and Safety Department, Health Policy and Strategy Section at the authority.

“An infected child is a direct cost for hospitals and parents,” he explained. The regional studies, which the expert said were very similar to the UAE demographics, found that the estimated hospitalisation costs due to the disease ranged between $1.8 and 4.6 million each year.

A single UAE-based study done by Tawam Hospital concluded that 39.3 per cent of all gastroenteritis cases at the hospital were caused by Rotavirus. “These are figures similar to those recorded in Oman (49 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (46 per cent),” said Dr Aizeldin.

Dr Aizeldin said that not all suspected cases could be investigated due to the high costs involved. “The tests are only done in a laboratory located at Latifa Hospital,” he said.

“We are discussing adoption of the vaccine in the national immunisation schedule because it is a relatively new vaccine and the best method of prevention against this disease,” added Dr Aizeldin.

Dr Hisham Al Khatib, a specialist at the Public Health and Safety department said, “Rotavirus causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting and fever leading to rapid dehydration in infants and young children.”

“It is important to note that although this vaccine is not mandatory as part of the national immunisation schedule, it is readily available and many healthcare practitioners inform parents about the option to give their children this vaccine,” said Dr Lubna Al Shaali, Public Health Specialist, Public Health and Safety Department.

The recommendations have been put forward to the Ministry of Health for approval.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com