Harare, 19 August 2014 : WHO supported the Ministry of Health and Child Care to launch the nationwide introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in Zimbabwe amid disturbing statistics of rotavirus diarrhea mortality among children below the age of 5.  Rotavirus diarrhea mostly affects children below the age of 5 and also accounts for 66% hospitalization of children in the above age group. According to WHO 2004 estimates, 527 000 children aged <5 years die each year from vaccine-preventable rotavirus infections; most of these children live in low-income countries. WHO recommends that rotavirus vaccine for infants should be included in all national immunization programs. In countries where diarrheal deaths account for ≥10% of mortality among children aged <5 years, the introduction of the vaccine is strongly recommended.

The vaccine, Rotarix,  is now available at all government health institutions and is administered for free. It is indicated for immunization of infants from the age of 6 weeks and is now included in all national immunization programs  as per WHO recommendations.

In his remarks, WR Zimbabwe, Dr David Okello congratulated the country for recognizing the immunization program as a pillar of the whole Health sector, and as a highly cost effective strategy for meeting our Millennium Development Goals. He also said that the introduction of the rotavirus oral vaccine is being supported by the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and WHO is part of the GAVI alliance. WHO has supported the development of the GAVI grant application and together with CDC and UNICEF, will take a leading role in post-marketing surveillance for adverse and rare side effects that may follow vaccination. He, however, emphasized that vaccination has to be complemented with other preventive efforts such as promoting  early and exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation; promoting  hand washing with soap; promoting food safety practices; improved water supply, quantity and quality including treatment and safe storage of household water; and community-wide sanitation promotion including use of latrines and safe disposal of human waste.

The same sentiments were echoed by the Director for Curative Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Christopher Tapfumaneyi who said that there is need for concerted efforts from all concerned players in the fight against diarrheal diseases. Dr Tapfumaneyi also  hailed the positive change which the Zimbabwe programme on immunisation (Zepi) had brought about. Zepi was launched in 1981 with main focus on the control of vaccine preventable diseases, namely tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, neonatal tetanus and measles. Since then, vaccination coverage improved from 28% in 1999 to 89% in 2006, and is currently at 95%. This has translated into a considerable reduction in childhood morbidity and mortality. Zimbabwe is one of the countries in Africa that still has high under-five and infant mortality. The 2010-11. ZDHS reported under-five mortality to be 84/1,000 live births and infant mortality 57/1,000 live births.