Rotavirus Resurgence: Why Declining Vaccination Rates Are Raising Concerns
It took just 48 hours for Ben Lopman’s 18-month-old son to travel from being an energetic toddler to totally listless. His son, Ruben, suffered from severe dehydration from rotavirus, a common cause of diarrhea and vomiting in babies and children. Lopman, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Emory University, was living in London when his son got sick in 2008, before a rotavirus vaccine was available in the UK.
“It was scary,” said Lopman. “It too reminded me how severe this disease can be for any kid.”
A Virus on the Rise
Rotavirus is experiencing a surge across the U.S., with infection rates higher now than this time last year. Doctors are concerned that declining vaccination rates could lead to more severe illness and a higher surge in the coming years. The virus, spread through contaminated hands and surfaces, once caused more than 200,000 emergency room visits, up to 70,000 hospitalizations, and dozens of deaths annually in the U.S. Before the introduction of vaccines.
Data from WastewaterScan, a program through Stanford University in partnership with Emory University, shows the virus has been surging since January, particularly in the West and the Midwest. “We’re seeing a lot of rotavirus in wastewater right now, definitely very high levels and that indicates to us that You’ll see high levels of rotavirus infections in these communities,” said Dr. Marlene Wolfe, WastewaterScan’s program director and co-principal investigator.
The Impact of Declining Vaccination Rates
Dr. Stephanie Deleon, associate chief medical officer and a pediatric hospitalist at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, has seen a steady influx of children admitted for rotavirus over the last two months. Symptoms typically begin with a fever and vomiting, followed by diarrhea – often 20 or more episodes per day. There is no treatment for the infection other than supportive care, such as fluids.
Most of the patients Deleon is seeing are either too young to be vaccinated, haven’t received all the doses, or are unvaccinated. Nationally, 73.8% of children are vaccinated against rotavirus, a number that has been steadily declining over the last eight years, according to the CDC. “Children who are not vaccinated are absolutely at higher risk of severe disease and the need for hospitalization,” Deleon said.
The Severity of Rotavirus Infection
Rotavirus causes a severe vomiting illness, making rehydration difficult. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, recalls a case from his residency where a 9-month-old girl died from rotavirus-related dehydration.
The CDC estimates that rotavirus vaccines prevent between 40,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations every year. Studies show that 9 out of 10 children who get the vaccine are protected from severe disease, and 7 out of 10 are protected from infection altogether.
Policy Changes and Public Perception
Earlier this year, changes to the childhood immunization schedule were announced, including removing the rotavirus vaccine. Even as these changes were put on hold by a federal judge, concerns remain that the attempt to alter guidelines may have created doubt among some parents.
“These are young people and they are getting confusing messaging,” said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a professor at Stanford University. “They don’t recognize where to turn.”
Lopman believes the current surge isn’t directly linked to the policy changes, but worries that falling vaccination rates could lead to more families experiencing what he went through with his son. “This is actually a really extraordinary vaccine,” he said. “It’s also been studied extensively for safety and there’s a very clear, overwhelming benefit.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is rotavirus spread? Rotavirus is spread through contact with contaminated hands and surfaces.
- What are the symptoms of rotavirus? Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Is there a treatment for rotavirus? There is no specific treatment, only supportive care like fluids.
- How effective is the rotavirus vaccine? The vaccine prevents severe disease in 9 out of 10 children and infection in 7 out of 10.
Pro Tip: Frequent handwashing and disinfecting surfaces can help prevent the spread of rotavirus, but the virus is resilient and can survive for extended periods.
Have questions about rotavirus or your child’s health? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
