Gastro vaccine launched at Hilton
EVERY DAY, thousands of children living in developing countries die from Rotavirus, which causes the potentially fatal ailment, Gastroenteritis. However, children in Third World regions like the Caribbean and Latin America can be saved from succumbing to Gastroenteritis by being vaccinated against it with the Rotarix vaccine. This was the message from the panel of health specialists attending the launch of Rotarix by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals at the Hilton Trinidad, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. The General Manager of GlaxoSmithKline Duke Holness, Dr David Prado, Dr Beni Balkaran and Dr Ricardo Ruttimann were on the panel and local and regional paediatricians also attended the launch. "The vaccine is designed to protect our children against Gastroenteritis," said Holness. He also said that a child dies from Rotavirus Gastroenteritis every minute, mainly in low income developing countries. Holness revealed that the price for the Rotarix vaccine is TT$350 per dose for doctors. According to information from GlaxoSmithKline, Rotavirus is the single most common cause of severe diarrhoea leading to dehydration and hospitalisation in young children worldwide. Thus far, according to GlaxoSmithKline, Rotarix has successfully treated more than 60,000 children. Holness added that several Latin American countries have begun using Rotarix with promising results. He said Rotarix is an easy-to-use oral vaccine which is safe and effective. Prado described Rotavirus Gastroenteritis as being a "democratic disease" because its victims come from all classes in world society. He noted that 440,000 children die annually from Rotavirus Gastroenteritis, pointing out the need for vaccination. Prado said Rotavirus Gastroenteritis had an economic and social impact in Latin America by forcing many Latin American parents to borrow money to pay for their children’s medical treatment. He also said parents were forced to miss many hours of paid work to take care of their sick children. Balkaran said there was a lack of medical reports coming from Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean about Rotavirus Gastroenteritis. Ruttiman said the development of the Rotarix vaccine was one of the most important medical developments in Latin America. He also said the vaccination was the only control measure likely to significantly impact on Rotavirus Gastroenteritis.
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"Gastro vaccine launched at Hilton"