IMMINENT CONTESTS AND SCENARIOS OF ROTAVIRUS VACCINATION IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Rotavirus is one of the significant causes of gastroenteritis in children under the age of five years. Thousands of fatalities have occurred in low socioeconomic, underdeveloped countries. It is also an essential contributor to child death in Pakistan and a critical economic burden due to hospitalization. Objectives: The Extended Program on Immunization (EPI) in Pakistan planned to include a vaccine for rotavirus in a routine immunization program for children in two doses from October 2016. Methodology: The literature was searched using databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed. Results: Reports on vaccination coverage have revealed a number of problems associated with inadequate vaccination coverage, such as medical malpractice, neglect, illiteracy, community issues, and denials from parents on account of their child's illness, among other things. It is also impossible to keep the appropriate vaccination program going due to a lack of personnel needed for the precise delivery of the rotavirus vaccine. Conclusion: Including this vaccine will save the lives of approximately 29,000 children every year. However, the proper administration of the rotavirus vaccine to all children who are eligible for vaccination will be a real challenge to the government and health agencies in Pakistan.