15 Jan Rotavirus Vaccine and Risk of Intussusception

MedicalResearch.com Interview with Eric S. Weintraub, M.P.H.
Epidemiologist at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Mr. Weintraub: While current rotavirus vaccines were not associated with intussusception in large pre-licensure trials, recent post-licensure data (from international settings) suggest the possibility of a low risk of intussusception occurrence after receipt of monovalent rotavirus vaccination (RV1).  We examined the risk of intussusception following RV1 vaccination in a U.S. population.  In this study of more than 200,000 doses of RV1, a slight increased risk of intussusception was observed after vaccination, which should be considered in light of the benefits of preventing rotavirus associated illness.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Mr. Weintraub: These findings were not unexpected based upon recent international studies from Mexico, Brazil and Australia.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Mr. Weintraub: CDC continues to recommend that all US infants receive rotavirus vaccine. The risk-benefit analysis continues to demonstrate that the benefits of rotavirus vaccination continue to outweigh the risks associated with vaccination, including the small risk of intussusception.  Providers should be aware of the risks and educate parents about the risk of intussusception and the benefits of rotavirus vaccines.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Mr. Weintraub: Steps moving forward will include continued monitoring to further quantify the risk of intussusception and education for health care professionals and parents. A systematic evaluation of data from all the U.S. and international studies and research to try to elucidate the biological mechanisms of intussusception following rotavirus vaccination would also be of value.

Citation:

Risk of Intussusception after Monovalent Rotavirus Vaccination
Eric S. Weintraub, M.P.H., James Baggs, Ph.D., Jonathan Duffy, M.D., M.P.H., Claudia Vellozzi, M.D., M.P.H., Edward A. Belongia, M.D., Stephanie Irving, M.H.S., Nicola P. Klein, M.D., Ph.D., Jason M. Glanz, Ph.D., Steven J. Jacobsen, M.D., Ph.D., Allison Naleway, Ph.D., Lisa A. Jackson, M.D., M.P.H., and Frank DeStefano, M.D., M.P.H.

January 14, 2014DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1311738

Last Updated on January 15, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD