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India-made rotavirus vaccine in action

April 23, 2019
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A baby wearing a striped outfit lies in an adult's arms, looking up at a small bottle held by another person, who is about to administer liquid drops. The adult's hand is adorned with bangles, and other people are present in the background.

ROTAVAC®, one of two India-made rotavirus vaccines, was first introduced in India in 2016. The country is scaling up these new domestically produced vaccines as part of routine childhood immunization against the deadliest form of diarrhea.

ROTAVAC® received World Health Organization prequalification in 2018, paving the way for global use. Several countries around the world are now using or planning to introduce ROTAVAC in routine immunization. 

These photos, taken in Assam, India by the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), illustrate the lifesaving potential of this vaccine for young children in India and around the world.

For more background on ROTAVAC®’s journey, watch this video from the manufacturer, Bharat Biotech.

An infant, dressed in a red and white outfit, sits on an adult's lap while a healthcare worker administers an oral vaccine using a dropper. The infant is looking upwards with their mouth slightly open. The scene appears to be in a clinic setting.
A healthcare worker administers an oral vaccine to a baby held by a woman in a clinic. Another healthcare worker supports the baby's head. The scene is set in a medical facility, with posters on the wall and a focus on the baby's open mouth.
A person in a white lab coat holds up a small bottle of medication with a pink cap and label. The out-of-focus background contains indistinct medical posters. The person's face is slightly blurred, but they are smiling.
An adult helps a seated baby take medicine using a small dropper. The baby is wearing an orange shirt and is being held securely by another adult. A table with a colorful booklet is visible in the background.
A baby is cradled in a woman's lap, wrapped in a pink blanket, while another woman administers liquid medicine or vitamins from a dropper into the baby's mouth. The women are dressed in traditional attire, and the setting appears to be a clinic or healthcare center.
A mother and father are consulting with a health professional. The mother holds a sleeping baby, while the father points at a document on the table. The health professional, seen from behind, appears to be explaining something using the document.
Four vials labeled "ROTAVAC" are arranged on a surface. The vials contain a pink-colored liquid and have gray caps. The labels display dosage information and other text, though it is not fully legible in the image. The background is neutral and out of focus.
A healthcare professional in a white uniform and glasses holds a vial of a vaccine labeled "ROTAVAC." The person carefully adjusts the cap while the vial is held between their fingers, focusing attentively on the preparation process.
A person's hands are seen holding a vial labeled "ROTAVAC" with a pair of forceps. They are wearing a white coat and some rings. The vial cap is being removed.
A healthcare worker administers a vaccine to a baby held by a seated woman in a yellow sari, while two other women stand by assisting and observing. The scene takes place in a medical setting, with the focus on the baby and the collaborative effort of the women.
A child is receiving an oral vaccine administered by an adult. The child's mouth is being carefully held open, and the vaccine is being dropped inside using a dropper. The child is wearing a camouflage-patterned shirt.
A crying infant sits on a woman's lap while receiving an oral vaccine from a healthcare worker inside a building. Another hand gently holds the baby's head for support during the vaccination.
An infant, held gently by two adults, is receiving an oral liquid vaccine. The scene captures a close-up of caring hands administering the drops as part of a health initiative. The baby is wearing a light yellow garment.
A woman holding a baby stands under a large umbrella. She is wearing a red and white sari, and the scene is outdoors in a sunlit area with greenery in the background. The woman and baby share a tender moment.
An infant, dressed in a red and white outfit, sits on an adult's lap while a healthcare worker administers an oral vaccine using a dropper. The infant is looking upwards with their mouth slightly open. The scene appears to be in a clinic setting.

Six-month-old Mariam Farooqi receives ROTAVAC, which is an oral vaccine, at Assam Medical College. India was the first country to introduce ROTAVAC. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A healthcare worker administers an oral vaccine to a baby held by a woman in a clinic. Another healthcare worker supports the baby's head. The scene is set in a medical facility, with posters on the wall and a focus on the baby's open mouth.

A nurse soothes three-and-a-half-month-old Gunjan Baruah, who is about to receive ROTAVAC. Rotavirus is most dangerous for young infants like Gunjan, so early vaccination is crucial. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A person in a white lab coat holds up a small bottle of medication with a pink cap and label. The out-of-focus background contains indistinct medical posters. The person's face is slightly blurred, but they are smiling.

Health Supervisor Kunja Baruah holds a vial of ROTAVAC, a vaccine developed through global partnership that is now saving lives in India and around the world. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

An adult helps a seated baby take medicine using a small dropper. The baby is wearing an orange shirt and is being held securely by another adult. A table with a colorful booklet is visible in the background.

A nurse delivers ROTAVAC to three-month-old Mahmood. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A baby is cradled in a woman's lap, wrapped in a pink blanket, while another woman administers liquid medicine or vitamins from a dropper into the baby's mouth. The women are dressed in traditional attire, and the setting appears to be a clinic or healthcare center.

Two-and-a-half-month-old Anshika receives ROTAVAC at Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A mother and father are consulting with a health professional. The mother holds a sleeping baby, while the father points at a document on the table. The health professional, seen from behind, appears to be explaining something using the document.

A health supervisor informs parents about their two-month-old daughter Anshika’s next vaccination date. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

Four vials labeled "ROTAVAC" are arranged on a surface. The vials contain a pink-colored liquid and have gray caps. The labels display dosage information and other text, though it is not fully legible in the image. The background is neutral and out of focus.

Pretty in pink: ROTAVAC oral vaccine vials stand ready at Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A healthcare professional in a white uniform and glasses holds a vial of a vaccine labeled "ROTAVAC." The person carefully adjusts the cap while the vial is held between their fingers, focusing attentively on the preparation process.

Staff nurse Purnima Gowala opens a vial of rotavirus vaccine at Greenwood Tea Estate Hospital in Dibrugarh, Assam. Photo: Monica Tiwari/International Vaccine Access Center

A person's hands are seen holding a vial labeled "ROTAVAC" with a pair of forceps. They are wearing a white coat and some rings. The vial cap is being removed.

ROTAVAC is stored in a freezer and then thawed before delivery. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A healthcare worker administers a vaccine to a baby held by a seated woman in a yellow sari, while two other women stand by assisting and observing. The scene takes place in a medical setting, with the focus on the baby and the collaborative effort of the women.

Staff nurse Purnima Gowala administers ROTAVAC to baby Sukanya at Greenwood Tea Estate Hospital. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A child is receiving an oral vaccine administered by an adult. The child's mouth is being carefully held open, and the vaccine is being dropped inside using a dropper. The child is wearing a camouflage-patterned shirt.

Open up! ROTAVAC is an orally administered rotavirus vaccine. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A crying infant sits on a woman's lap while receiving an oral vaccine from a healthcare worker inside a building. Another hand gently holds the baby's head for support during the vaccination.

Baby Riya receives ROTAVAC at Greenwood Tea Estate Hospital. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

An infant, held gently by two adults, is receiving an oral liquid vaccine. The scene captures a close-up of caring hands administering the drops as part of a health initiative. The baby is wearing a light yellow garment.

ROTAVAC is safely administered at the same time as other routine childhood vaccinations. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

A woman holding a baby stands under a large umbrella. She is wearing a red and white sari, and the scene is outdoors in a sunlit area with greenery in the background. The woman and baby share a tender moment.

Sumi Urang smiles as her daughter, Anushka, sleeps soundly, protected after receiving her routine vaccines, including ROTAVAC. Photo: Monica Tiwari/IVAC

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