Rotavirus Vaccine and Health Care Utilization for Diarrhea in U.S. Children

Background Routine vaccination of U.S. infants with pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) began in 2006. Methods Using MarketScan databases, we assessed RV5 coverage and diarrhea-associated health care use from July 2007 through June 2009 versus July 2001 through June 2006 in children under 5 years of age. We compared the rates of diarrhea-associated health care use in unvaccinated children in the period from January through June (when rotavirus is most prevalent) in 2008 and 2009 with the prevaccine rates to estimate indirect benefits. We estimated national reductions in the number of hospitalizations for diarrhea, and associated costs, by extrapolation. Results By December 31, 2008, at least one dose of RV5 had been administered in 73% of children under 1 year of age, 64% of children 1 year of age, and 8% of children 2 to 4 years of age. Among children under 5 years of age, rates of hospitalization for diarrhea in 2001–2006, 2007–2008, and 2008–2009 were 52, 35, and 39 cases per 10,000 person-years, respe...