Nairobi, March 31 -- Kenya could save an estimated Sh3.9 billion ($30 million) in healthcare costs as it steps up vaccination of children to prevent the deadly rotavirus infection, an assessment has revealed.

A report by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and One Health Trust, part of the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP), estimates that the campaign would prevent over 60,900 child deaths and approximately 216,000 hospitalisations over the next two decades.

"Vaccination can avert 60,935 deaths and 216,454 hospital admissions among children under five. Over 20 years, a Sh10.3 billion investment in the vaccine would save the government Sh3.9 billion in healthcare costs and Sh4,902 per disability-adjusted life year ...