Trends in the Laboratory Detection of Rotavirus Before and After Implementation of Routine Rotavirus Vaccination — United States, 2000–2018

Table.  Rotavirus seasonality and testing results, by years — National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System, United States, 2000–2018.

Years	Season beginning, wk no.	Peak		Season end, wk no.	Season duration(wks)	No. of rotavirus tests performed*	Positive rotavirus tests*No. (%)	% Change in rotavirus tests performed*,§	% Decline in positive rotavirus tests*
		Wk no.	% Positive tests
2000–2006†	50	9	43.1	24	26	10,845	2,778 (25.6)	Referent	Referent
2007–2008	9	17	17.3	21	12	11,143	1,034 (9.3)	2.7	62.8
2008–2009	4	11	25.3	21	17	11,078	1,231 (11.1)	2.1	55.7
2009–2010	—¶	18	10.9	—	—	8,345	411 (4.9)	−23.1	85.2
2010–2011	3	11	23.4	21	18	8,152	734 (9.0)	−24.8	73.6
2011–2012	—	22	12.2	—	—	7,129	244 (3.4)	−34.3	91.2
2012–2013	1	13	27.3	18	17	7,357	718 (9.8)	−32.2	74.2
2013–2014	—	21	11.3	—	—	6,687	352 (5.3)	−38.3	87.3
2014–2015	3	11	25.1	16	13	7,448	724 (9.7)	−31.3	73.9
2015–2016	—	20	4.8	—	—	6,145	159 (2.6)	−43.3	94.3
2016–2017	9	13	21.7	19	10	4,708	287 (6.1)	−56.6	89.7
2017–2018	—	17	10.3	—	—	4,270	235 (5.5)	−60.6	91.5

* Testing data from the 23 laboratories that continuously reported rotavirus test results during 2000–2018.
^† Median data are reported for the prevaccine seasons spanning 2000–2006.
^§ Compared with number of tests performed during 2000–2006.
^¶ Dashes indicate not applicable because seasonal start and end thresholds were not reached.

Authors and Disclosures

Benjamin D. Hallowell, PhD^1,2, Umesh D. Parashar, MD¹, Aaron Curns, MPH¹, Nicholas P. DeGroote, MPH¹ and Jacqueline E. Tate, PhD<sup>1

1</sup>Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; CDC; ²Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC.

Corresponding author
Benjamin D. Hallowell, BHallowell@cdc.gov, 404-498-2006.

All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Sidebar

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Before the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in the United States in 2006, rotavirus infection was the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis among U.S. children.

What is added by this report?

Implementation of the U.S. rotavirus vaccination program reduced the annual proportion of positive rotavirus tests, reduced peak rotavirus activity, and shortened the duration of the rotavirus season. Biennial seasonal patterns that emerged after vaccine introduction have continued with alternating years of low and high rotavirus activity.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Ongoing efforts to improve coverage and on-time vaccination can help maximize the public health impact of rotavirus vaccination.