Rotavirus vaccine

A new study shows the rotavirus vaccine has greatly reduced the hospitalization of children with the infection.

Rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, accounted for about 5% of all pediatric hospitalizations prior to the vaccine’s introduction.

But researchers say since 2006, rotavirus-related hospital visits are down from 87% to 96%.

Hospitalization rates among older, unvaccinated children also dropped by 92%, most likely because of the reduced transmission from younger children.