KENYA —Disruptions at drugmaker GSK have led to a shortage of a vaccine to prevent the deadly rotavirus infection in children in Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal and Cameroon, with supplies either running out or close to doing so, Reuters exclusively reported.

Rotavirus is a highly contagious and deadly infection, responsible for causing severe, dehydrating gastroenteritis in children under five years old.

The World Health Organization estimates that up to 200,000 children die annually from the disease, accounting for over 50% of global rotavirus-related deaths.

Despite the absence of curative drugs, health care workers can provide supportive care to patients affected by the disease.

However, severe cases of rotavirus can lead to dehydration, which can be fatal if intravenous fluids are not administered promptly.

In developing countries, access to such critical health care is often limited, highlighting the need for rotavirus prevention through vaccination.

In Kenya, vaccines are administered to infants when they are six, ten, and fourteen weeks old, and their absence has been acutely felt in regions such as Nakuru.

Rotavirus is highly contagious and can spread easily through contaminated hands and objects. It cannot be treated with antibiotics or other drugs, and mild cases can be treated with oral rehydration therapy.

However, vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe cases and the deadly, dehydrating diarrhea it causes.

Improvements in water quality, hygiene, and sanitation can prevent other forms of diarrhea caused by bacteria and parasites, but not rotavirus.

GSK, the British drugmaker, has confirmed a shortage of approximately 4 million doses of its Rotarix vaccine this year, with a drop from an expected 46 million to 42 million.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has reported that the drugmaker had already reduced its agreed deliveries by 10 million per year between 2022 and 2028. However, GSK has acknowledged the supply shortfall and is pursuing plans to address the deficit.

“GSK communicated to Gavi earlier this year on manufacturing challenges leading to an unplanned, short-term drop in Rotarix production for 2022, for which priority mitigation plans are fully in place,” a GSK spokesperson told Reuters. However, GSK did not give any further

UNICEF works with Gavi to help supply rotavirus vaccines to poorer countries, alongside national governments.

Both organizations said they were attempting to switch in vaccines made by other manufacturers, or from countries with spare doses.

Rotarix is given in two oral doses to infants from 6 weeks of age. A second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first, and no later than 24 weeks, adding to the time pressure on inoculations.

Gavi said there were also delays with another rotavirus vaccine, Rotavac, manufactured by Bharat Biotech, which were related to “regulatory procedures”, although the problem is not as significant.

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