DefeatDD

Childhood diarrhea can be deadly—but safe water, sanitation, and hygiene ( ) makes all the difference.

WASH solutions should be sustainable, locally focused, and supported by policy and community education. By supporting WASH, we're building toward a future with clean water and sanitation for all.

Home - Defeat DD Diarrheal disease is the second leading killer disease of children under five around the world. This crisis is especially critical where safe water, sanitation, and access to urgent medical care are limited.

15 years ago, vaccines were new. Fast-forward to today, and 120+ countries have introduced this lifesaving intervention.

Rotavirus vaccines are making an impact worldwide - including in India, where a recent study found that rotavirus positivity among hospitalized children declined from 40% to 20% after vaccine introduction.

More here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03998-9

Teamwork makes the dream work. 🤝🏆

And when it comes to stopping , solutions like vaccines, ORS and zinc, WASH, breastfeeding and nutrition work best when they work together.

More here: https://www.defeatdd.org/solution/integrated-approach/

Integrated Approach - Defeat DD Several tools can prevent and treat diarrhea, and programs that integrate these solutions can maximize impact, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Established interventions like oral rehydration solution and zinc, exclusive breastfeeding, and WASH (safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygie...

Vaccine efficacy was top of mind at this year's International Symposium, with presentations on:

➡️ Maternal antibody interference
➡️ The role of the gut microbiome
➡️ Alternative vaccine schedules

Read more takeaways from the conference: https://defeatdd.org/blog/international-rotavirus-symposium-takeaways/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=October2025&utm_content=RotaSymposium

Your hands hold a superpower. 🤝 🦸‍♀️

By with soap, we can stop the viruses and bacteria that cause diarrhea in their tracks—preventing infections and saving lives. 🧼 🫧

This , be a and join us in championing hand hygiene to defeat diarrheal disease!

Global Handwashing Day

What’s next for vaccines? At the fifteenth International Rotavirus Symposium, speakers shared lessons from the past 20 years—and innovations for the future.

Read our recap for 7 takeaways:

Takeaways from this year's International Rotavirus Symposium At the 15th International Rotavirus Symposium, experts celebrated two decades of vaccine impact while focusing on future innovations.

Flooding in has affected more than 6 million and displaced 2.5 million people across the country, leading to a surge in and diarrhea.

Along with providing immediate access to safe , , food, and healthcare for those affected, we need to invest in climate-resilient solutions to prevent .

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/oct/01/floods-now-disease-cholera-dengue-malaria-stalks-millions-in-pakista

Crowded camps, stagnant water and not enough doctors: first the floods, now disease stalks millions in Pakistan As the waters recede, a surge in cases of cholera, diarrhoea, malaria and dengue has compounded the misery of people who have already seen their homes and crops disappear

In 2024, vaccines supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance saved a record-breaking 1.7 million lives—the highest number ever for a single year! 💪

The impact goes beyond public health. Last year, these immunization programs generated nearly US$20 billion in economic benefits thanks to healthier populations, reduced health care costs, and more productive communities.

More here: https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/gavi-announces-record-setting-year-saving-lives-through-immunisation-2024

Gavi announces record-setting year for saving lives through immunisation In 2024, Gavi-supported vaccines saved a record-breaking 1.7 million lives – 400,000 more than in 2023 – according to Gavi’s Annual Progress Report.

The world has made exciting progress on : since 1990, more than 2 billion people have gained access to cleaner ! 💧

But, as new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF reveal, there’s more work to do. ⤵️

Progress worth celebrating in water, sanitation, and hygiene When it comes to preventing diarrheal diseases, access water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is not just important, it’s transformative.

Summer may be over, but we're keeping the volume up on the importance of immunization. 🎶🌞

Thanks to everyone who tuned in to our campaign this summer—together, ain't no mountain high enough that we can't tackle together for !

Check out our Spotify for the full playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CAS3wJhjPoYNzYe5eXlom?si=tmtdofT4S_iFjgfxXAuFtg