Rotavirus surging in U.S., CDC says

Rotavirus levels have been rising across the U.S. since January, and the CDC notes oral rotavirus vaccines prevent an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations each year.

Rotavirus has been increasing across the United States since January, according to wastewater surveillance and clinicians reporting more pediatric admissions. The virus commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea and can lead to severe dehydration in young children. Oral rotavirus vaccines were introduced about 20 years ago and greatly reduced hospitalizations. Earlier this year, proposed changes to the childhood immunization schedule that would have removed the rotavirus vaccine were announced and have since been put on hold by a federal judge. Key facts: - WastewaterScan, an academic wastewater surveillance program, shows rotavirus levels have been rising since January, with higher levels reported in parts of the West and Midwest. - Pediatric hospitals in some areas report steady increases in rotavirus admissions, and many hospitalized children are too young to be vaccinated, not fully vaccinated, or unvaccinated. - The CDC estimates rotavirus vaccines prevent roughly 40,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations among infants and young children each year, and studies report strong protection against severe disease. - Changes to the federal childhood immunization schedule were announced earlier this year and were placed on hold by a federal judge last month. Summary: Rotavirus circulation is higher now than this time last year, and clinicians and surveillance programs report a notable increase in cases and hospital admissions. Vaccination coverage has declined in recent years, and a legal pause currently affects proposed schedule changes. The immediate policy path and how trends will evolve are undetermined at this time.