After two refusals in 2006 and 2010, the High Council of Public Health (HCSP) has finally recommend, subject to an acceptable pricing policy, vaccination against rotavirus infants under six months of age. “Rotavirus gastroenteritis is responsible in France for around 14,000 annual hospitalizations of children under the age of 3, an estimated number of deaths between 7 and 17 per year, and generates frequent nosocomial infections in hospitalized infants especially for respiratory infection “, estimates the HCSP.
The beneficial impact of vaccination, which would reduce the hospitalization rate by more than 80%, and evaluation details of the risk of post-vaccination acute intussusception, which led the HCSP not to recommend this vaccine in 2010, were taken into account. Experts now recommend a two-dose vaccine schedule at two and three months of life for the monovalent vaccine (Rotarix) and three doses at two, three and four months of life for the pentavalent vaccine (Rotateq). “Adherence to this immunization schedule is essential to ensure early completion of the vaccine series,” they explain.
The thorny question of price remains to be resolved. Negotiations should begin soon between the authorities and the laboratories. The goal: to achieve a cost-effective vaccine. Currently, two doses of Rotarix are sold for around 180 euros and the three doses of Rotateq for more than 230 euros.
