TIRANA, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- From Oct. 1, the rotavirus vaccine is added to the national vaccination program in Albania and about 30,000 children will benefit for free every year, Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu announced here on Monday.
Manastirliu said during her visit at the Health Center No. 8 in the capital that the vaccination is free as part of the national vaccination program and started on Oct. 1 for all children born after Aug. 1, 2019.
She said this initiative saves the budget of Albanian families with about 3 million U.S. dollars per year.
The rotavirus vaccine has been distributed to every health center across the country, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
Rotavirus is a contagious virus that can cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). Symptoms include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Infants and young children are most likely to get rotavirus disease.
