Rotavirus vaccine in India's UIP is given as a liquid formulation at 6, 10, and 14 weeks. The vaccine strain used in the Government of India's UIP is:
- A ROTAVAC — 116E strain neonatal human rotavirus ✓
- B Rotarix (RV1) — monovalent human rotavirus
- C RotaTeq (RV5) — pentavalent bovine-human reassortant
- D Rotasiil — pentavalent bovine-human reassortant (BRV-PV)
Correct answer: A. ROTAVAC — 116E strain neonatal human rotavirus
Explanation
ROTAVAC (116E strain) was the first indigenous rotavirus vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and is the vaccine introduced in India's UIP. The 116E strain is a naturally occurring neonatal human rotavirus reassortant with bovine rotavirus UK strain. ROTAVAC has demonstrated 56% efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in Indian trials and is manufactured locally, making it cost-effective for the national programme.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.