Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of live oral pentavalent reassortant rotavirus vaccine introduction

Globally, rotavirus gastroenteritis is the most common identifiable cause of severe diarrhea in children under 5. Recently introduced rotavirus vaccines from Merck & Co. and GlaxoSmithKline have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives. Efficacy results in Ghana suggest Merck & Co.\'s live oral pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq(®)) prevents 65.0% of severe gastroenteritis due to rotavirus infection in children under 5. The announcement by Merck and GSK to make their rotavirus vaccines available for developing nations at reduced prices provides Ghana with the opportunity to introduce rotavirus vaccines into the national immunization program after investigation of the medical, economic and political implications.