Whose vaccine first protected against rotavirus, a major cause of severe diarrhea in infants?
Quick Answer
RotaShield was the first licensed rotavirus vaccine in the United States, developed by researchers at Wyeth with key scientific input from Albert Kapikian’s work on rotavirus. It was licensed in 1998 but withdrawn in 1999 because of a rare side effect.
The Full Story
Rotavirus vaccines emerged from decades of virology research, including Albert Kapikian’s identification of rotavirus as a major cause of childhood gastroenteritis. The first licensed vaccine, RotaShield, was introduced in the United States in 1998. Although it helped prevent severe rotavirus disease, it was withdrawn in 1999 after being linked to a rare intestinal complication called intussusception. Newer rotavirus vaccines, introduced later, became important tools in reducing infant illness and deaths worldwide.
Key Facts
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"The vaccine that changed infant diarrhea treatment after a rocky start"
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