Exploring a Decade-Long Public Health Benefits of Rotavirus Vaccination in Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES: Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is the one of the major causes of diarrhea in young children in Ethiopia. Rotavirus vaccine has been proven to be effective in reducing the disease burden, and Ethiopia incorporated the vaccine into its national immunization schedule in 2013. The aim of this study is to estimate the decade long public health impact of the rotavirus vaccination in Ethiopia.

METHODS: A Markov model was adapted to estimate the health outcomes associated with rotavirus vaccination among under five children in Ethiopia over the period of 2013 – 2023. The primary outcomes were RVGE related mortality, severe and non-sever RVGE cases among under-five children.

RESULTS: It was estimated that rotavirus vaccination in Ethiopia averted 11,093,693.11 (95% confidence interval (CI) 11,015,516.12 – 11,171,870.09) rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE)-related mortalities, 800,499.60 (95% CI 792,942.71 – 808,056.49) severe RVGE, and 12,046,621.04 (95% CI 11,939,830.09 – 12,153,412.00) non-severe RVGE among children < 5 years-old over the period of 2013 – 2023.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study underscore the considerable positive public health impact of a decade-long rotavirus vaccination program in Ethiopia.