An Iranian Health Ministry Official Confirms 'Rotavirus Outbreak'; Domestic Vaccine Production by Year-End

An official from the Iranian Ministry of Health confirmed a 'rotavirus outbreak' in Tehran but stated that 'it's nothing new' and happens every year. Hassan Farshidi, the Deputy Minister of Health, reacted to reports describing an outbreak of the virus among children under 5 in Tehran, saying, 'We have this virus every year in winter and spring, mainly in children under 5, and it is nothing new.' This health official also promised that a 'domestic vaccine' would be produced by 'the end of the year' as part of a nationwide vaccination program against this disease. Farshidi added that after the vaccine is produced and 'defined in the national vaccination program,' mothers will be informed about the age at which 'they should bring their children for vaccination.' Last Monday, the head of Ali Asghar Children's Hospital reported a 'rotavirus outbreak' in Tehran and an increase in the number of children visiting the hospital. Farhad Choubdar stated that an 'epidemic of rotavirus' is beginning and that this has been communicated to the Ministry of Health. The head of Ali Asghar Children's Hospital emphasized that rotavirus vaccination is not 'routine' in Iran and urged families who 'can afford it' to vaccinate their children 'freely.' In December 2018, the head of the Biological Department of the Food and Drug Administration stated that 'financial resources' are essential for the vaccine to enter the vaccination network. Ali Vashghani mentioned that Ali Khamenei approved the allocation of $100 million for the production of two vaccines, 'pneumococcal' and 'rotavirus,' and this funding has been made available to vaccine manufacturers. In June 2021, the Pasteur Institute of Iran announced an agreement with Bharat Biotech of India for the transfer of rotavirus vaccine production technology to Iran and the domestic production of this vaccine. On December 1, 2022, the head of the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Department of the Ministry of Health indicated the possibility of this vaccine entering the national vaccination program. This vaccine has not yet reached operational status due to what experts cite as 'lack of resource allocation.' Symptoms of rotavirus infection typically begin about two days after exposure and can include vomiting and diarrhea lasting three to eight days. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite and dehydration, which can be particularly dangerous for infants and young children. Signs of dehydration include reduced urination, dry mouth and throat, dizziness when standing, crying with little or no tears, and unusual sleepiness or confusion. Each year, among American children under 5, rotavirus leads to over 400,000 doctor visits, more than 200,000 emergency room visits, and 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations, resulting in 20 to 60 deaths. According to this health authority's statistics, the 'rotavirus vaccine' prevents 40,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations among American infants and young children annually.