Prevention and Control

Two rotavirus vaccines are available on the market and prequalified by WHO. Since 2006, 14 countries and one territory have introduced this vaccine in their national vaccination schedule: in 2006, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, the United States, and Venezuela; in 2007, Ecuador; in 2008, Bolivia; in 2009, Colombia, Guyana, Honduras, Peru, and the British territory of Cayman Islands. The countries of the Region of the Americas were the first to introduce this vaccine into their vaccination programs, and for the first time ever, a new vaccine is being introduced in developing and developed countries at the same time.