United Nations Radio

The World Health Organization has recommended including vaccination against rotavirus in all national immunization programmes to protect children

child taking oral vaccine

The virus is responsible for the deaths of more than half a million children and the hospitalization of two million annually with the vast majority of  deaths occurring in Africa and Asia.

Studies conducted in poor neighbourhoods in South Africa and Malawi found that the vaccine significantly reduced severe diarrhoea caused by rotavirus.

WHO is working with the UN Children's Fund and other partners in a new accelerated and integrated approach to combat rotavirus and pneumonia.

These two diseases which kill many children each year can be prevented by vaccines.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

(duration: 45")