Gulf countries are to follow Bahrain's example in introducing the rotavirus vaccine.

The move follows Bahrain's announcement in January that it is introducing the vaccine as part of its public health programme.

Officials from Bahrain have been travelling to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman over the last month to discuss with their counterparts the logistics of introducing the vaccine.

They also presented case studies on what led them to introduce it in Bahrain, said Health Ministry Public Health Directorate communicable diseases section head Dr Muna Al Mousawi.

Rotaviruses are common and contagious sources of gastroenteritis that cause repeated and protracted bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting up to 10 days, she said.

Children with a rotavirus infection can become seriously dehydrated and if not treated immediately the disease can prove fatal.

Among the elderly, it could also result in complications since their immune systems are not strong enough.

'The process to vaccinate infants is already on, but we shall soon intensify it,' said Dr Al Mousawi.

'We have recently imported a huge stock of the vaccine and hope to have it available in plenty at all health centres within the next few weeks.'

Infants

She said the first dose of the vaccine is being given to infants at two months and a booster dose will then be given at four months as oral drops at all the health centres.

'Bahrain became the first country in the Middle East to introduce this vaccine, almost immediately after it was recommended by the World Health Organisation,' said Dr Al Mousawi.

'We are now one of the few nations worldwide to have introduced it.'

She said after the two and four-month old infants are covered, the 'left out' cases comprising those infants who have crossed the stage will be covered.

'The schedule will be in place in the next few months' said Dr Al Mousawi

The decision to introduce the vaccine came after a survey conducted between April 2006 and March last year showed a high prevalence of the virus in Bahrain.

The results revealed that more than 50 per cent of the gastroenteritis cases admitted to the Salmaniya Medical Complex were affected by the rotavirus.

Dr Al Mousawi said the ministry had taken the results of the survey into account before a final decision was made and that it was based on the overall cost assessment and the effectiveness of the vaccine.

'The situation in the other countries of the region could be pretty much the same, so these three nations are also now interested in introducing the vaccine,' she said.

'We are also keen to share our experiences with them and contribute to successful implementation of their programmes.'

She said the virus is prevalent throughout the year but manifests itself more during the winter season.-TradeArabia News Service