Since its introduction, the rotavirus vaccine has reduced infant hospitalizations by about 80%. Yet uptake of the vaccine remains lower than other pediatric vaccines. A study published today in Pediatrics identifies several roadblocks to greater coverage.
Researchers examined data on children enrolled in the New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN) from December 2014 to August 2024 to understand the factors that prevented rotavirus vaccination. They discovered several obstacles to vaccination, including premature birth and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Many NICU babies age out of eligibility
The study included 24,755 children born on or after January 1, 2007, enrolled in the NVSN. Infants who received the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine 15 weeks or later after birth, those born soon after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, and those in families without health insurance were less likely to be vaccinated against rotavirus.
Significant damage has been done to trust in vaccinations by the antivaccine agenda of the current HHS leadership, with resultant dramatic increases in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and pertussis. Rotavirus may not be far behind.
The study also noted that Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines contributed to missed rotavirus vaccination for some NICU babies. Currently, ACIP recommends that infants receive the first dose no later than 14 weeks and 6 days and after the baby leaves the NICU.
Often, babies with long stays were too old to receive the vaccine following discharge. More than 50% of NICU babies didn’t leave until after 15 weeks, and 80% of those babies never received their first dose.
Anywhere from 55,000 to 70,000 infants underwent treatment for rotavirus in the hospital annually before the vaccine’s introduction. The authors suggested that age recommendations could be limiting greater rotavirus vaccination, especially when it comes to preterm babies.
‘Significant damage’ to trust in vaccines
In an accompanying commentary, Jessica Cataldi, MD, and Sean O’Leary, MD, MPH, both of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said the study reinforces the safety and effectiveness of the rotavirus vaccine. They also addressed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decision this year to no longer recommend rotavirus vaccination, calling the change “incredibly misguided.”
“Significant damage has been done to trust in vaccinations by the antivaccine agenda of the current HHS leadership, with resultant dramatic increases in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and pertussis,” they write. “Rotavirus may not be far behind.”
Just last week, via executive order, President Donald Trump doubled down on the HHS reduced schedule of childhood immunizations, which recommends only “shared clinical decision-making” for the rotavirus vaccine, but it’s unclear what the ramifications of the order are. In March a federal judge halted the HHS’s attempt to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule.
