Hospital Puerto Montt invites mothers of newborns to participate in a study on the Rotavirus vaccine.
Starting the week of July 10, Dr. Loreto Twele, director of the Vaccine Research Center at Hospital Puerto Montt, invites mothers of nursing children from one month of age to participate in the study of the new vaccine against rotavirus, called Rotavac, developed by the Indian biochemical company Bharat Biotech International Limited. Participation in this study promises to bring assured benefits to participants in terms of prevention and protection against this infection.
Rotavirus, recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses in 1978, has been the subject of research for approximately 90 years, since Jacob Light and Horace Hodes identified the presence of filterable agents in the feces of children with diarrhea, which also generated diarrhea in cattle.
This infection, known as Rotavirus, affects infants and children all over the world, and is characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach aches, and high fever. The rotavirus infection spike occurs in children younger than 5 years, and the vast majority of children 2 years of age have experienced at least one episode of rotavirus. In addition, the seasonal rise in the incidence of the virus occurs during the spring and summer.
Rotavirus vaccines have been available since 2006, and currently Bharat Biotech International Limited, an Indian manufacturer, has developed the Rotavac vaccine. This oral vaccine is administered in the form of drops to the mouth at 2, 4 or 6 months of gestation of the baby. It has successfully passed phase 2 in Vietnam, proving to be effective and safe. Costing only approximately $1, this vaccine has the potential to revolutionize the market compared to the high price of other vaccines of around $30 per dose.
In Chile, an investigation is being carried out chaired by the University of Chile, under the direction of Dr. Miguel O’Ryan and Juan Pablo Torres. Puerto Montt is one of the 10 centers where this study is being carried out nationwide, with a total of 5,700 participants involved in the research of the Rotavac vaccine.
Hospital Puerto Montt conducts 4th vaccine research study
Hospital Puerto Montt, as a research center, will play a fundamental role in recruiting around 700 children to offer them the rotavirus vaccine. The participation of HPM and its community in this study is of special importance, as it represents the fourth vaccine research study conducted at the institution. In addition, Puerto Montt is the southernmost city involved in the research, which highlights its geographical relevance.
The study will be carried out under a randomized double-blind approach, which means that of the 700 infants enrolled, 350 will receive placebo and the other 350 will receive the vaccine. However, all participants will benefit, since all babies will receive vaccines from the National Immunization Program (PNI) and will receive constant medical check-ups by the vaccine research center of Hospital Puerto Montt.
Dr. Loreto Twele, the principal investigator and organizer of the study in Puerto Mont, emphasizes the importance of this research, since in Chile rotavirus vaccines are not included in the national immunization program and have a high cost of around 30,000 pesos per dose. “This study would be an opportunity to include the rotavirus vaccine in our National Immunization Program, and finally have a rotavirus vaccine in our program,” said the doctor.
Likewise, the researcher highlights that to a certain extent this research will provide life insurance and pediatric insurance for the participants. On the other hand, “350 children will have the guarantee of being vaccinated against Rotavirus.”
Requirements to participate in the study:
To participate in the research, consent is required from at least one parent. The infant must be 2 months of age at the first study visit, and there must be no change of address for at least 12 months (study duration). During the research, the participant will be required to attend the research center at least three times to receive the oral and PNI vaccines. You will also be asked to contact the team if your child has symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, or vomiting, or requires hospitalization for any reason.
If you wish to participate in the study, you can send an email to [email protected] or call +56987213886 for more information and to register your interest.
This study is expected to provide important advances in the prevention of Rotavirus, and the participation of mothers and their babies will be essential for the success of the research.
2023-07-07 19:06:06
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