Funders:
Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (Regional Immunisation Strengthening and Engagement 2 (RISE 2))
Collaborators:
Ministry of Health, Timor-Leste
National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), Timor-Leste
National Centre for Immunisation Research Surveillance, Australia
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia
The first National Rotavirus Survey was conducted in Timor-Leste between October 2014 and December 2016 (pre-vaccine era). This study will form the second National Rotavirus Survey and will be the first to evaluate the burden of rotavirus disease in Timor-Leste in the vaccine era (2025 – 2026). Replicating the study design from the initial survey is important to ensure comparable results.
Project Objectives:
The primary objective is to determine the incidence of severe rotavirus infection among children <5 years old in Timor-Leste following the introduction of rotavirus vaccine into the national EPI in 2019.
Secondary objectives are to:
- Describe the clinical presentations and outcomes of rotavirus cases in the vaccine era
- Determine age and seasonal distribution of rotavirus hospitalisations in the vaccine era
- Identify prevalent genotype of circulating strains of rotavirus in the vaccine era
- Estimate vaccine effectiveness for Rotavac in Timor-Leste using a test-negative case control design
Summary:
This project responds to identified needs from the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health and the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). It has been co-designed with local health services, including the National Health Laboratory (NHL) and HNGV. Led by Timorese investigators, this study will be the first to evaluate the Rotavac rotavirus immunisation program in Timor-Leste. Results will be used to inform future decisions on rotavirus vaccination (including choice of vaccine product and immunisation schedule) and support Timor-Leste to ensure a safe, effective and accessible rotavirus immunisation program.
The study will be conducted at the five hospitals (HNGV, Maubisse Referral Hospital, Suai Referral Hospital, Oe-Cusse Referral Hospital and Baucau Referral Hospital) and one health center (Vera Cruz Health Center) that participated in the original National Rotavirus Survey.
Chief Investigator:
Senior Project Co-ordinator:
Dr. Edvanio Fernandes, MPH
Investigators:
Nicholas Fancourt (Menzies School of Health Research & University of Sydeny)
Bianca Middleton (Menzies School of Health Research)
Luzia Freitas (Menzies School of Health Research & University of Oxford)
Sarah Sheridan (National Centre for Immunisation Research Surveillance)
Mariano Marques (Instituto Nacional da Saúde Públika, Timor-Leste)
Marcelo Amaral Mali (Instituto Nacional da Saúde Públika, Timor-Leste)
Lucsendar Alves (Menzies School of Health Research)
Celeste Donato (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)
Sophie Merryfull (University of Sydney)
Contact:
edvanio.fernandes@menzies.edu.au
Key Dates:
1 September 2025 – 31 December 2026