Effectiveness of Lanzhou Lamb Rotavirus Vaccine and RotaTeq Against Hospitalized Rotavirus Infections Among Children During 2020-2023 in Guangdong Province, China: A Test-Negative Case-Control Study

Introduction

The evidence regarding the effectiveness of Lanzhou Lamb Rotavirus Vaccine (LLR) and RotaTeq (RV5) against gastroenteritis (RVGE) caused by emerging genotypes in Chinese children remains limited.

Methods

We conducted a test-negative case–control study using gastroenteritis surveillance data from four cities (2020–2023) in Guangdong Province, China. Children aged 2 months to 5 years hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis were enrolled. Cases were rotavirus-positive; controls were rotavirus-negative. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) was estimated using multivariable logistic regressions.

Results

Among 2650 children, 218 (8.2%) were rotavirus-positive, predominantly G8P[8]. Also, 1543 (58.23%) children were unvaccinated, while 632 (23.85%) and 475 (17.92%) received at least one dose of RV5 and LLR, respectively. Adjusted RV5 VE against any RVGE severity was 51.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) − 58.1–85.3%]) for one dose, 37.6% (95% CI − 58.5–75.4%) for two doses, and 64.1% (95% CI 38.0–79.2%) for three doses. For LLR, VE against any RVGE severity was 38.7% (95% CI 5.7–60.2%) for one dose, 74.6% (95% CI 35.3–90.0%) for two doses, and 58.8% (95% CI − 217.6–94.6%) for three doses. Against severe RVGE, RV5 VE was 67.2% (95% CI − 144.7–95.6%) for one dose, 74.0% (95% CI − 92.1–96.5%) for two doses, and 86.6% (95% CI 56.8–95.9%) for three doses. For LLR, VE against severe RVGE was 57.7% (95% CI 20.3–77.6%) for one dose, 73.4% (95% CI 11.9–92.0%) for two doses, and − 27.8% (95% CI − 949.7–84.4%) for three doses.

Conclusions

Both RV5 and LLR provided protection against RVGE, including the emerging G8P[8] genotype. Three doses of RV5 offered strong protection, while two doses of LLR also appeared to be an effective strategy against rotavirus infection.