title: Impact of rotavirus vaccination on laboratory confirmed cases in Belgium.
abstract: Rotavirus vaccines were introduced in Belgium in 2006 and recommended in the universal schedule in January 2007. We measured the impact of rotavirus vaccination through an active laboratory-based surveillance system. In 2008, the number of laboratory confirmed rotavirus cases declined by 61.4% (95% CI 60.2-62.6%) compared to the 2005-2006 pre-vaccination period, with the highest decline in children<1 year (80.1%; 95% CI 78.7-81.4%). The rotavirus season was delayed compared to pre-vaccination seasons. Laboratory data provide a crude estimation of vaccination impact, but analysis of in-patient data will be needed to assess the impact on severe disease.
authors.affiliation: Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium. germaine@skynet.be
authors.forename: Germaine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hanquet
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ducoffre
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vergison
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neels
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabbe
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Damme
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Herck
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines