Rotavirus vaccine trials in icddr,b and future use of the vaccine in Bangladesh.

Safe and effective rotavirus vaccines (RV) are needed to reduce the enormous public health burden of rotavirus illness in developing countries. Vaccination is critical for effective control of rotavirus infection since it cannot be prevented with improvements in water and sanitation. The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) has completed several ground-breaking RV trials (phase I-Phase IV). The safety, immunogenicity, efficacy and effectiveness of different RVs were evaluated among both urban and rural population. Herein, we present the results, policy implications, lessons-learned for successful implementation of these trials as well as future directions for rotavirus vaccination in Bangladesh.