Rotavirus Cases Spike in February 2025

Numerous health agencies have repeatedly stated that getting the rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect against this 'stomach' disease. Rotavirus is the leading global cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in children.

A recent study supports that recommendation, finding a sustained and substantial decline in rotavirus-coded acute gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations in children and adolescents 13 years after introducing the rotavirus vaccine.

Published by the journal Vaccine (April 112, April 11, 2025) on February 22, 2025, these researchers found that the most significant impact was in children under 5 years in Australia, with an 85% decline in rotavirus-coded gastroenteritis hospitalizations.

This substantial and sustained decline in hospitalized disease in Australia was associated with high and sustained rotavirus vaccine coverage (2 or 3 doses, depending on the vaccine type, assessed at age 12 months).

Australia was one of the first countries to include rotavirus vaccines in its National Immunisation Program in 2007. By 2020, vaccination coverage had reached 92.5%.

Before the rotavirus vaccine was used in the United States, about 1,900 infants developed intussusception each year. According to the U.S. CDC, over 94% of vaccinated children are protected from hospitalization.

When traveling abroad, rotavirus and norovirus infections lead to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

Rotavirus primarily affects infants and young children and can be prevented with a vaccine, while norovirus is highly contagious and can affect people of all ages.

As of 2025, no vaccine is available to protect people from norovirus.

The good news is that both U.S. FDA-approved rotavirus vaccines were tested in large clinical trials involving thousands of infants. The vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing rotavirus. 

Most health insurance plans cover the cost of vaccines. However, you may want to check with your insurance provider. Children may get no-cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program. 

As of February 24, 2025, the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System monitors viral activity in the United States. This year, there has been a significant uptick in rotavirus cases.

In the United Kingdom, rotavirus reporting has increased in 2025.

According to the U.K. Health Security Agency, the cumulative number of positive rotavirus laboratory reports in England up to week #6 of the current season (1,635 laboratory reports) was 40.1% higher than the 5-season average for the same period.

This data varies from recent reports in England. Following the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in 2013, the total number of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections each season has remained low compared to the pre-vaccine period.

In the U.S. and the U.K., rotavirus vaccine supplies remain above the expected demand for 2025 and are available at clinics and pharmacies.