The number of diagnosed rotavirus cases has dropped by 84 per cent since the introduction of a vaccine to the national childhood immunisation schedule in July 2013. This is according to new figures published by Public Health England.

Rotavirus is a highly infectious virus which causes diarrhoea – sometimes with vomiting, stomach ache and fever – particularly in babies and children under five years of age.

The vaccine is now given to babies at the age of two and three months and before it was introduced, around 14,000 children were admitted to hospital each year as a result of complications of the virus such as extreme dehydration.

It has also been confirmed by the Department of Health that GSK’s rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix will continue to be offered as part of the national childhood immunisation programme.

Dr Ravi Pawa, Medical Affairs Manager for GSK UK Pharmaceuticals Vaccines said: “It is great to see that since the introduction of the rotavirus vaccination programme there has been a positive impact on reducing the number of cases of this infectious virus amongst young babies in the UK.”