A life saving vaccine

In 1973, Professor Ruth Bishop, Professor Graeme Barnes and a team of researchers first discovered rotavirus, the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Every child comes in contact with rotavirus by their fifth birthday, putting 10,000 Australian children in hospital and killing at least half a million worldwide every year. The researchers are currently developing a new rotavirus vaccine that will be affordable in developing countries, where it is most needed (see below).

A step in the right direction for new rotavirus vaccine

Following the world first discovery of rotavirus by MCRI researchers in 1973, a million dollar project grant from the National Health & Medical Research Council will help the enteric viruses group make an affordable new vaccine a reality for developing countries.

However the group still need more funding to complete clinical trials of the rotavirus vaccine developed specifically to immunise all babies against the most common cause of gastroenteritis which kills as many as 600,000 infants worldwide each year. While Australian babies now receive a rotavirus vaccine from two months of age, most children in developing countries are still at risk of contracting rotavirus.

"The new vaccine is unique because it has been created from a strain of the natural infection found in Melbourne babies, making it ideal to provide protection from birth," said Professor Julie Bines. "Our vaccine will ensure all babies can be protected from day one – offering a major advantage in preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis for children worldwide."

The group needs at least half a million dollars more to manufacture the vaccine for clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand. With additional funding, the trials are expected to take three years to complete.

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