Rotavirus infection is one of the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis early in life, particularly during the first year, and is associated with a significant health and economic burden due to hospitalizations and outpatient visits. This monograph will review the pathology of rotavirus, its evolving epidemiology and disease burden, and the natural immune response to rotavirus. In addition, this monograph will discuss the efficacy and safety of the two rotavirus vaccines currently licensed in the United States.

This activity is designed for pediatricians. 

After reviewing the material, the participant should be able to:

• Describe the prevalence, morbidity, and financial burden of rotavirus infection in children.
• Discuss the immune response to rotavirus infection.
• Assess the efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of rotavirus vaccinations.
• Summarize the provisional ACIP recommendations for use of rotavirus vaccines.

Gary S. Marshall, MD
Penelope Dennehy, MD
David O. Matson, MD, PhD
Mary Allen Staat, MD, MPH

Gregory S. Liptak, MD

Bonnie McClain

Vindico Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

Vindico Medical Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

This interactive activity is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, December 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009.

To participate in the CME activity, you must read the objectives and articles, complete the CME test, and submit your test. Click only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined at answering 70% of the questions correctly. Once you've submitted your posttest, if a satisfactory score on the CME test is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM certificate immediately.

Vindico Medical Education will provide 1.25 contact hours.

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Educations Standards for Commercial Support, all CME providers are required to disclose to the activity audience the relevant financial relationships of the planners, teachers, and authors involved in the development of CME content. An individual has relevant financial relationship in any amount occurring in the last 12 month with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in the CME activity content over which the individual has control. Relationship information appears on this page.

The authors disclose that they do have significant financial interests in any products or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.

Faculty members report the following relationship(s):

Gary S. Marshall, MD
Research Contracts: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Pasteur
Honoraria for lectures and Consulting: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Pasteur
Chief Editor: Merck and MedImmune-supported Vaccine Quarterly

Penelop Dennehey, MD
Research Grant: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline

David O. Matson, MD, PhD
Speakers' Bureau: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline
Grant recipient: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, National Institute of Health
Consultant: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, National Institute of Health

Mary Allen Staat, MD, MPH
Research Grant: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline
Advisory Board: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline
Speakers' Bureau: Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline

External reviewer reports the following relationship(s):

Gregory S. Liptak, MD
No relationship to disclose

Vindico Medical Education reports the following relationship(s):

Carl Clay, PhD
No relationship to disclose

Marykate Crouthamel, PhD
No relationship to disclose

Andrea Gaymon
No relationship to Disclose

Medical Writer reports the following relationship(s):

Bonnie McClain
No relationship to disclose

Signed disclosure are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Continuing Education and Regulatory Affairs.

The audience is advised that this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non-FDA approved or investigational use of products/devices.