Pharmaceutical Business review

Merck’s oral vaccine found effective against gastroenteritis

In Rotavirus Efficacy and Safety Trial (REST), Rotateq demonstrated 98% efficacy against severe cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis and 74% of all rotavirus gastroenteritis cases caused by rotavirus serotypes G1, G2, G3 and G4 through the first rotavirus season post-vaccination (n=5673).

Additionally, Rotateq reduced hospitalizations by 96% (n=68,038) and reduced emergency department visits by 94% (n=57,134) for rotavirus gastroenteritis caused by the G serotypes targeted by the vaccine (G1-G4), through two years following the third dose.

Rotateq is an oral vaccine and is indicated for the prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children caused by the serotypes G1, G2, G3 and G4 when administered as a three-dose series to infants between the ages of six to 32 weeks.