Eighth International Rotavirus Symposium

Istanbul, Turkey

3 - 4 June 2008

The 8th International Rotavirus Symposium was held in Istanbul, Turkey on June 3-4, 2008. The meeting was a collaborative effort of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, PATH, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The event attracted representatives from over 67 countries who engaged the full range of scientific, social, and economic challenges that must be overcome in order to prevent this major killer of children.

The meeting brought together scientists, clinicians, public health professionals, immunization leaders, vaccine industry representatives, and members of the donor community to provide an update on relevant research that will inform public health agendas related to rotavirus gastroenteritis. Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrheal hospitalizations and deaths among children worldwide. Development of rotavirus vaccines has been a global health priority for many years. Two vaccines are on the market and others are in the research pipeline and introduction is now becoming a reality in several parts of the world.

Event Information

Related Press Releases

World's Leading Health Experts Urge Countries to Use Newly Released Data to Prevent the Death of Millions of Children Due to Rotavirus

June 4, 2008

Over 350 of the world's leading scientific experts, policymakers and leading public health professionals from 67 countries convened today during the 8th International Rotavirus Symposium in Istanbul, Turkey, to present new data about rotavirus -- a disease which causes acute diarrhea and often leads to death among young children. "Regardless of where they live, virtually all children become infected with rotavirus by the age of three. Yet, 90 percent of child deaths due to rotavirus occur in the world's poorest countries," said Dr. Ciro de Quadros, of the Sabin Vaccine Institute. Read more

Event