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

• 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
  • In English
  • En Español

• 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
  • Concerns | Report a suspected vaccine reaction

• Who should not be vaccinated with rotavirus vaccine?

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