Experience of pentavalent human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine among healthy infants in Taiwan

Background/Purpose: Rotavirus infection is the most common etiology of acute gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. The first rotavirus vaccine was licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1998 but was suspended soon after in 1999 because of the possibility of induced intussusception. This study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a newly developed pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in Taiwanese children. Methods: This was a phase III global trial designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an oral, live pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq™). Taiwan was the only site in Asia enrolled in this trial. Normal healthy infants aged 6-12 weeks were enrolled, and each of the subjects received either three oral doses of the vaccine or placebo solution. The safety of the vaccine, particularly the risk of intussusception, and immunogenicity were studied. Results: A total of 189 infants were enrolled. No increased risk of intussusception or other adverse reactions were noted following the vaccination. RotaTeq™ was immunogenic among subjects enrolled in Taiwan. At least a three-fold rise in serum antirotavirus IgA antibody was found among 93% of the vaccine group. The immunogenicity of RotaTeq™ in Taiwan was comparable to that in other areas. Conclusion: The pentavalent human-bovine vaccine, RotaTeq™, was safe, generally well-tolerated, and immunogenic among Taiwanese infants.