Health workers in sub-Saharan Africa have hailed the trial of a new vaccine to fight rotavirus, a fatal diarrhoeal disease which kills about half a million children a year in the region, as a potential game-changer.

According to Ceoafrica, it's cheaper to make than other rotavirus vaccines and needs no refrigeration.

In tests in Niger, researchers found it was more than 60% effective.

The vaccine, known as BRV-PV, which is manufactured in India and licensed there, needs final World Health Organisation approval before it can be used worldwide.

Rotavirus, a highly infectious stomach bug can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach ache and fever, most commonly in under-fives.