New rotavirus vaccines: targeting childhood morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries in Central Asia

The current project is aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality caused by rotavirus (RV) disease among young children in low- and middle-income countries in Central Asia. RV is the most common cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in young children and a major cause of childhood death in developing countries. Two new vaccines against RV have been recently licensed, highlighting the need for an evidence-based decision about their introduction in the routine immunization, particularly in countries with hig h RV morbidity and mortality. This project will build a comprehensive evidence base for introduction of new RV vaccines in 3 countries in Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The main activities will include surveillance, disease burden an d cost-effectiveness studies to accelerate introduction of new vaccines. In addition, the post-marketing surveillance to assess the impact and safety of the vaccine will be implemented in Uzbekistan. The project is a collaborative effort between the Norw egian Institute of Public Health and the Ministries of Health and healthcare providers in Central Asian countries. In addition, multiple partners at national and international levels are involved to ensure the success of the project. These partners includ e the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Rotavirus Vaccine Program at PATH and the Initiative for Vaccine Research at the WHO, Geneva. Such partnership approach will also expand and s trengthen collaboration between the Norwegian and international research environments. Design of all studies implemented within the framework of this project is based on the Generic Protocols for RV recommended by the WHO. The use of the same methodology in all three countries will permit comparison of the data across the region and internationally. The project will contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of RV disease and will provide the key informa