Despite success of rotavirus vaccines, deaths and hospitalizations due to rotavirus still occur in low- and low-middle income countries where sub-optimal vaccine efficacy, cost and programmatic challenges remain barriers.
RV3-BB vaccine was developed from the novel human neonatal rotavirus strain, RV3 (G3P[6]), identified in the stool of asymptomatic infants in Melbourne and shown to provide protection from severe rotavirus gastroenteritis during the first 3 years of life, with heterotypic serological responses to community strains. We propose that RV3-BB is an ideal candidate for a birth dose rotavirus vaccination strategy.
The RV3-BB Vaccine, has been shown to be highly immunogenic and well-tolerated when administered in a neonatal or infant schedule in Indonesia, Malawi and New Zealand. RV3-BB administered in a birth dose schedule was associated with protection from severe rotavirus disease in 94% of Indonesian babies in the first 12 months of life. Unlike other oral rotavirus vaccines, immune responses to RV3-BB administered in a neonatal schedule were not impacted by co-administration with oral polio vaccine or, maternal or breast milk antibodies. RV3-BB is based on a P[6] asymptomatic newborn strain, ideal for birth dose administration and for use, particularly in Africa and Asia where P[6] strains are more prevalent; possibly related to patterns of histo-blood group antigens within the population.
RV3-BB vaccine has the potential to address some of the current challenges to the success of rotavirus vaccines, particularly in high child mortality regions of Africa and Asia.