Immunising children in developing countries

In developed countries, dying from diarrhoea is unthinkable, but in developing countries it still happens too frequently. In the North, access to drinking water and appropriate food, as well as access to antibiotics and medical treatment limit the risks. However, this is not the case in the South.

Rotavirus is a widespread and extremely contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, which in turn leads to dehydration and sometimes death. It is the number one cause of death from diarrhoea amongst children under five. This virus alone causes more than 450,000 deaths every year, of which 95% occur in developing countries.

How can these deaths be prevented? With antirotavirus vaccines promoted by the GAVI Alliance. GAVI finances its delivery through programmes in the world's poorest nations. Since 2006, 14 countries, including Nicaragua, Ghana and Yemen have introduced this vaccine. The aim of GAVI and its partners is to support the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in more than 40 countries by 2015, thereby protecting more than 50 million children.

GAVI Alliance, was created in January 2000 and has its headquarters in Geneva. The Alliance is committed to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing access to immunisation in the world's poorest countries.