Journal article

Rotavirus vaccination in Europe: drivers and barriers

Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a vaccine-preventable disease that confers a high medical and economic burden in more developed countries and can be fatal in less developed countries. Two vaccines with high efficacy and good safety profiles were approved and made available in Europe in 2006. We present an overview of the status of rotavirus vaccination in Europe. We discuss the drivers (including high effectiveness and effect of universal rotavirus vaccination) and barriers (including low awareness of disease burden, perception of unfavourable cost-effectiveness, and potential safety concerns) to the implementation of universal rotavirus vaccination in Europe. By February, 2014, national universal rotavirus vaccination had been implemented in Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, and the UK. Four other German states have issued recommendations and reimbursement is provided by sickness funds. Other countries were at various stages of recommending or implementing universal rotavirus vaccination.

Authors

Languages

  • English

Publication year

2014

Journal

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Volume

5

Type

Journal article

Categories

  • Service delivery

Diseases

  • Rotavirus

Countries

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Finland
  • Greece
  • Luxembourg
  • Norway
  • United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland

Tags

  • New vaccine introduction
  • Planning, budgeting and financing

WHO Regions

  • European Region