Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Rotavirus Vaccination
Pronounced "row-tuh-virus"
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and severe diarrhea) among children worldwide. Two different rotavirus vaccines are currently licensed for use in infants in the United States. The vaccines are RotaTeq® (RV5) and Rotarix® (RV1). Before being licensed, both vaccines were tested in clinical trials and shown to be safe and effective. In these studies, during approximately the first year of an infant’s life, rotavirus vaccine was found to prevent almost all (85%-98%) rotavirus illness episodes that were severe and to prevent 74%-87% of all rotavirus illness episodes.
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
For the Media:
What You Should Know
- CDC's official rotavirus disease website Oct 2010
Basics about the symptoms, transmission, prevention, and treatment - Protect Your Child against Severe Rotavirus Updated Feb 2011
CDC Feature - Rotavirus: I Just Wish We Had Known NEW Dec 2010
Parents tell true story of how rotavirus sickened their children and impacted their family. - Listen to podcasts about rotavirus
(Podcasts range from :59 seconds to 5:58 minutes) - Rotavirus basics
Fact sheet offers overview of Rotavirus disease and vaccine risks and benefits
- Does my child need the rotavirus vaccine?
Yes! Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and severe diarrhea) among children worldwide. Two different rotavirus vaccines are currently licensed for use in infants in the United States. - When does my child need the rotavirus vaccine?
Your child should receive the vaccine during the first year infancy.
There are two brands of rotavirus vaccine. A baby should get either 2 or 3 doses, depending on which brand is used.The doses are recommended at these ages:
- First Dose: 2 months of age
- Second Dose: 4 months of age
- Third Dose: 6 months of age (if needed)
The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age, and should be given by age 14 weeks 6 days. The last dose should be given by 8 months of age.
Rotavirus vaccine may be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines.
Babies who get the vaccine may be fed normally afterward.
For additional details, consult the Rotavirus Vaccine Information Statement
[PDF- 166KB, 2 pages] as well as the Child Immunization Schedule. - FDA: Information for Parents and Caregivers on Recommendation to Resume Use of Rotarix® and Continuing Use of RotaTeq® Updated May 2010
In March 2010, FDA became aware of the presence PCV1 in Rotarix® and DNA from PCV1 and PCV2 in RotaTeq®. On May 14, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised its recommendations for rotavirus vaccines for the prevention of the disease in infants and has determined that it is appropriate for clinicians and healthcare professionals to resume the use of Rotarix® and to continue the use of RotaTeq®. - Questions and answers about rotavirus vaccines Updated Sep 2012
- Side effects
- Rotarix® Rotavirus Vaccine: Rare Side Effect Possible Posted Sep 2010
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
- Monitoring of Intussusception after RotaTeq® Vaccination Updated Mar 2010
- Kawasaki Syndrome and RotaTeq® Vaccine Updated Mar 2010
- CDC's Vaccine Safety website
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Rotavirus
- Disease-related
- Clinical information (Español: Acerca del rotavirus) Updated Oct 2010
Clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, etc. - Photos of the virus
- Clinical information (Español: Acerca del rotavirus) Updated Oct 2010
- Vaccine-related
- Statement Regarding Rotarix® and RotaTeq® Rotavirus Vaccines and Intussusception Posted Nov 2010
- Updated Vaccine Label for Rotarix® Posted Sept 2010
- Proper storage and handling of vaccines Updated Dec 2011
CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling guide includes shelf life, reconstitution instructions... - Ask the Experts
CDC experts answer your clinical questions via Immunization Action Coalition website - Kawasaki syndrome and RotaTeq® vaccine Updated Mar 2010
- Monitoring of Intussusception after RotaTeq® Vaccination Updated Mar 2010
FDA Recommends Resuming Use of Rotarix® and Continuing Use of RotaTeq®
There are two licensed vaccines for rotavirus in the United States: RotaTeq® and Rotarix®. In March 2010, FDA became aware of the presence PCV1 in Rotarix® and DNA from PCV1 and PCV2 in RotaTeq®. These viruses are not known to cause any infection or illness in people. On May 14, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised its recommendations for rotavirus vaccines for the prevention of the disease in infants and has determined that it is appropriate for clinicians and healthcare professionals to resume the use of Rotarix® and to continue the use of RotaTeq®.
- FDA Revises Recommendations for Rotavirus VaccinesUpdated May 2010
- FDA: Update on Rotavirus Vaccine Updated May 2010
- FDA: Additional Information for Healthcare Providers and Public Health Professionals
Updated May 2010 - FDA: Information for Parents and Caregivers Updated May 2010
- World Health Organization (WHO): Finding of DNA fragments of porcine circoviruses in rotavirus vaccines Updated Jun 2010
Vaccine Recommendations
- ACIP recommendations Updated Feb 2009
In April 2008, a live, oral, rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix® [RV1]) was licensed as a 2-dose series for use among U.S. infants, and in June 2008, ACIP updated its rotavirus vaccine recommendations to include use of RV1. - Contraindications Updated Feb 2009
- Multi-vaccine VIS updated with new information about rotavirus vaccines
Posted Sept 2008 - Standing Orders Updated Sept 2010
- Package inserts (Rotarix®, RotaTeq®, and more package inserts...) Updated Sept 2010
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution Updated Jun 2008
- Intussusception and Rotashield® Vaccine
The ACIP voted October 1999 to no longer recommend use of RotaShield® vaccine for infants because of an association between the vaccine and intussusception.
References and Resources
- Publications and textbooks on rotavirus Posted Oct 2010
- Pink Book's chapter on rotavirus (Updated April 2011)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 12th Edition - Surveillance
- Surveillance manual's chapter on rotavirus Updated Aug 2008
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases - National rotavirus surveillance
- Surveillance manual's chapter on rotavirus Updated Aug 2008
- World Health Organization's rotavirus page
- PATH's Rotavirus Vaccine Program
Provider Education
- CME Credit - Rotarix or RotaTeq Vaccination May Be Effective, Safe in Childhood
From Medscape CME Clinical Briefs (Valid for credit through 05/17/2011) Posted May 2010 - Podcasts
Materials for Patients
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Rotavirus: questions and answers [PDF-97KB, 3 pages]
Ready-to-print versions of one of the CDC-reviewed Q&A material located on IAC's Vaccine Information website (www.vaccineinformation.org) Updated Apr 2010
For the Media
- FDA update on rotavirus vaccines Posted May 2010
- MMWR: Reduction in Rotavirus After Vaccine Introduction--United States, 2000-2009 Posted Oct 2009
- Press Release: Discovery of New Transmission Patterns May Help Prevent Rotavirus Epidemics Posted July 16, 2009
New vaccines shift the course of childhood diarrhea-causing disease and could have big global impact
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Content last reviewed on April 22, 2011
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases