Dan Hungerford (University of Liverpool)

Speaker: Dan Hungerford (University of Liverpool)

Title: Let’s Talk Diarrhoea: Rotavirus Vaccination – Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward

Abstract: Prior to the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, rotavirus caused approximately 500,000 diarrheal deaths annually in children under five. Since the approval of live attenuated oral rotavirus vaccines in 2006, global mortality and disease burden have significantly decreased, with over 130 countries now incorporating the vaccine into infant immunization programs. 

However, rotavirus remains the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under five worldwide. Major challenges remain, including inequalities in vaccine access, real-world effectiveness, and the duration of protection. In the UK, our research demonstrated that rotavirus vaccination has substantially reduced acute gastroenteritis, with the greatest impact seen in the most deprived populations, despite lower vaccine uptake. However, vaccine uptake has declined, and the inequality gap widened. While the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines against severe disease exceeds 80% in high-income countries like the UK, effectiveness and duration of protection are significantly lower in low-income high- mortality settings, where the rotavirus-related mortality burden remains concentrated. 

This talk will explore the progress and ongoing challenges of rotavirus vaccination locally and globally, drawing on interdisciplinary research that combines laboratory science, epidemiology and mathematical modelling. Our aim is to ensure the optimal use of rotavirus vaccines to maximise health benefits and societal impact.

Selected recent references:  Pitzer V.E, et al. 2024 Wenger C, et al. 2025 Hungerford D, et al. 2018Hungerford D, et al. 2025 (MedRxiv) Flatt A, et al 2024