International Medica Foundation

Programs: The primary purpose of intl-medica is the development and delivery of an oral rotavirus vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus-related morbidity and deaths in the developing world. Globally, infections from rotavirus account for an estimated 125 million cases of diarrhea each year, resulting in the deaths of approximately 500,000 infants annually from a disease that is highly preventable with an oral vaccine. Worldwide, rotavirus infects every child in the world in their first few years of life and sends 1 child in every 5 to a clinic for treatment, 1 in every 58 to a hospital, and 1 in 250-300 die from dehydrating diarrhea. Rotavirus is the cause of 30% to 40% of the hospitalizations for diarrhea in children less than five years of age and results in over 1,600 deaths each day in developing countries where medical care is limited and malnutrition is prevalent. See continuation of direct charitable activity #1 on "general explanation attachment" international medica has been working with the national institute of allergy and infectious diseases (niaid) national institutes of health (nih), and idt biologika gmbh, its vaccine manufacturer in germany, on a new, proprietary, liquid, heat-stable formulation of rotashield. A major constraint in achieving high immunization rates in less-developed countries is the requirement for a cold chain -- maintaining proper refrigeration of the vaccine product to ensure its effectiveness. This new rotashield liquid formulation has the potential to eliminate the need for a cold chain, which would significantly reduce the distribution and storage costs of the vaccine. All of the currently marketed rotavirus vaccines require refrigeration. Elimination of the need for the cold-chain for vaccines is also of great interest to the vaccine community worldwide, especially in the developing world. See continuation of direct charitable activity #2 on "general explanation attachment"