Vaccine Slashes Diarrheal Illness in Children

A relatively new vaccine appears to be succeeding at protecting children against a virus responsible for widespread and virulent childhood illness. WNYC’s Fred Mogul has more.

REPORTER: Few people have heard of rotavirus, but it's the source of dangerous diarrhea that lands more children under age five in hospitals than any other illness. That diarrhea often kills children in the developing world, and while it's severe in the US, it's rarely fatal here. The rotavirus vaccine was introduced two years ago. And since then, state health officials say data suggest the vaccine is behind an almost two-thirds drop in diarrhea hospitalizations. Westchester pediatrician Dr. Sara Kenamore says the vaccine has caused a noticeable improvement in life for young children and their families.

KENAMORE: There are still diarrheal illnesses, absolutely, but the one that tends to land children in the hospital is rotavirus, because it comes on so strong.

REPORTER: Kenamore wasn't associated with the study. She says there's strong evidence that the vaccine is protecting family members from the rotavirus and diarrhea, especially those who change diapers. For WNYC, I’m Fred Mogul.

HOST: State officials estimate the vaccine is saving $34 million in New York in 2008, due to decreased hospitalizations. State officials estimate the vaccine is saving $34 million in New York in 2008, due to decreased hospitalizations.