C. Cutland, Dr. M. Groome, Dr. V. Gosai (Diepkloof and

Eldorado Clinics); Dr. E.V. Aghachi (Bertoni Clinic), Dr. N. Nyalunga, Dr. F. Kiggundu (Lethlabile Clinic), Dr. C. Werner, Dr. F. Scholtz (Oukasie Clinic), Dr. T.J. Botha, Dr. M. Venter (Karenpark Clinic); S. Qolohle (Project Manager), D. Traynor(Operations Manager), A. Venter, I. Groenewold, Dr. T Sithebe, M. Sauerman (Site Managers). Erin Kester (PATH) is thanked for assisting with the manuscript preparation. We acknowledge DDL Diagnostic Laboratory, the Netherlands for performing RT-PCR followed by reverse hybridization assay and/or sequencing to determine rotavirus G and P types. GSK Rota037 study-team is acknowledged for contributing toward assistance in protocol development, study conduct, data analysis and manuscript review. Rotarix is the trademark of GlaxoSmithKline group of companies; RotaTeq is the trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.; Rotaclone is a trademark of Meridian Bioscience. click here Contributions: SAM, KMN and ADS were involved in the study

conduct; reviewed check details all relevant literature; were involved in developing study methods; contributed to data analysis and prepared the first draft. MK, CL, PB, SA played key roles in study conduct; critiqued the study methods and assisted in editing the manuscript; provided several additional critical reviews of the draft manuscript at various stages. AB was involved in study design, development of study organization and methods and part of the study conduct as employee of GSK. Conflicts of interest: SAM has received research grants and honoraria from GSK and MERCK. The primary analysis as per analysis-plan was undertaken by GSK, with additional analysis undertaken by SAM. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the decisions, policy, or

views of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, South Africa; Department of Science and Technology/National the Research Foundation; Pretoria, South Africa or PATH, Seattle and Sanofi Pasteur. Disclosure: All authors have approved the final article. PATH’s Rotavirus Vaccine Program, funded by a grant from the GAVI Alliance, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium, were the study sponsors and GSK Biologicals was responsible for administrative aspects of the study, including clinical trial supply management, data management, analysis and reporting. The funding source had no involvement in the research, writing, or the decision to submit the paper for publication. “
“Africa accounts for approximately 60% of the approximately 1.3 million annual diarrhea-related deaths worldwide [1] and [2]. In Kenya in 2008, it was estimated that greater than 38,000 diarrhea-related deaths occurred, which was 20.5% of all deaths [1]. Rotavirus is the most common etiology of childhood diarrhea deaths in Africa [3]. WHO estimates that in 2004, approximately 7500 rotavirus deaths occurred in Kenya [3].