Rotavirus gastroenteritis in India, 2011-2013: Revised estimates of disease burden and potential impact of vaccines

We estimate that 11.37 million episodes of rotavirus gastroenteritis occur each year in India, requiring 3.27 million outpatient visits and 872,000 inpatient admissions when health access is unconstrained, resulting in a need for Rs. 10.37 billion each year in direct costs. An estimated 78,000 rotavirus-associated deaths occur annually of which 59,000 occur in the first 2 years of life. Introduction of a rotavirus vaccine of similar efficacy to the Rotavac in the national immunization program would result in 686,277 fewer outpatient visits, 291,756 fewer hospitalizations and 26,985 fewer deaths each year in India, assuming no indirect effects for the vaccine.