Essay

On this research article, the main goal was to research about the effect of human
rotavirus vaccine on severe diarrhea in African infants. It is known that rotavirus is the
most important cause of severe gastroenteritis among children worldwide. Vaccines are
the best hope for preventing the consequences of the rotavirus, especially on
impoverished regions. A clinical trial is conducted to determine which vaccine and how
many doses will be necessary to protect African children against severe rotavirus
gastroenteritis.

The methods used by the researchers, were to conduct a double-blind randomized test,
in order to asses the efficacy of the vaccine to protect the African children. Also a
placebo-controlled group was chosen. Also infants with HIV were included on the trial.
The results were achieved in a good way. An episode of gastroenteritis was identified by
the occurrence of diarrhea; stool samples were collected during each episode occurred.
Stool samples were tested for rotavirus. These methods help achieved the most
accurate data in order to asses the vaccine efficacy. It was assessed during the period
from 2 weeks after the last dose of the vaccine or the placebo.

The results showed and efficacy by the vaccine. Severe gastroenteritis was detected in
70 of 1443 infants in the placebo group which represents a 4.9%. In the vaccine group
only 56 cases out of 2974 of rotavirus were found which is a 1.9%. This results in a
vaccine efficacy against the rotavirus gastroenteritis.

The study shows that rotavirus vaccine significantly reduces the episodes of severe
rotavirus gastroenteritis in African children. The attack rate for severe rotavirus
gastroenteritis is higher in these impoverished populations. The rotavirus vaccine was
also associated with a reduction in severe gastroenteritis for any cause, not only
rotavirus. The overall efficacy of the vaccine is to prevent severe rotavirus
gastroenteritis which is achieved in a 61.2%. It is important to say that the vaccine had
a lower efficacy on Malawian infants 49.4% against the South African counterpart 76.9%.

Evaluate the Article

In the article there wasn’t an explicit hypothesis, however the trial is made because it is
believed that the vaccine will reduce the cases of severe gastroenteritis caused by the
rotavirus. That would be the hypothesis. The relevance of it is to know that there is a
problem that needs a solution, and is stating a possible way to solve the problem in this
case the efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine.
The article was approached in a very objective way, straight to tests in different groups
to determine the efficacy of the vaccine. The data is reproducible, there aren’t any issues
with the validity of the data. The article is very consistent and we can the data is valid to
the tests. There were data collected in a very detailed way containing. Location, number
of doses or placebo, and in case of gastroenteritis what type of rotavirus caused it.

The authors made the right conclusions. The vaccine is efficient in preventing severe
gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus. The data showed an efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine
of the 69%. This data revealed that the hypothesis was correct and a solution was found
to the problem of severe diarrhea in impoverished populations .

I agree with the researchers conclusions. The examination of data is straight forward. It
is what it is. The vaccine is efficient in preventing severe gastroenteritis. The double-
blind tests confirm it. To conclude, a solution was found to protect children in Africa
from the rotavirus which the main cause for severe diarrhea.