What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe diarrhea mostly in babies and young children.  It is often accompanied by vomiting and fever.

Rotavirus is not only the cause of severe diarrhea but it is one of the most serious.  Each year in the United States rotavirus is responsible for:

* more that 400,000 doctor visits

* more than 200,000 emergency room visits

* 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations

* 20-60 deaths

Almost all children in the U.S. are infected with rotavirus before their 5th birthday.  Children are most likely to get rotavirus disease between November and May, depending on the part of the country.  Your child can get rotavirus infection by being around other children who are already infected. 

The rotavirus vaccine:

Better hygiene and sanitation have not been very good at reducing rotavirus disease.  Rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect children against rotavirus disease.  Rotavirus vaccine is an oral (swallowed) vaccine; it is not given by injection

It will not prevent diarrhea or vomiting caused by other germs, but it is very good at preventing diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus.  About 98% of children who get the vaccine are protected from severe rotavirus diarrhea, and about 74% do not get rotavirus diarrhea at all.  Children who get the vaccine are also much less likely to be hospitalized or to see a doctor because of rotavirus infection.

Who should get what rotavirus vaccine and when?

Children should get 3 doses of rotavirus vaccine.  They are recommended at these ages:

            First Dose:         2 months of age

            Second Dose:    4 months of age

            Third Dose:       6 months of age

The first dose should be given between 6 and 12 weeks of age.  The vaccine has not been studied when stated among children outside that age range.  Children should have gotten all 3 doses by 32 weeks of age.  Rotavirus vaccine may be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines.  Children who get the vaccine may be fed normally afterward.

What are the risks from rotavirus vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.  The risk of rotavirus causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.  Getting rotavirus vaccine is much safer than getting the disease.

Mild Problems:

Child are slightly (1-3%) more likely to have mild, temporary diarrhea or vomiting within 7 days after getting a dose of rotavirus vaccine than children who have not gotten the vaccine.  Moderate or severe reactions have not been associated with this vaccine. If rare reactions occur with any new product, they may not be identified until thousands, or millions, of people have used it.  Like all vaccines, rotavirus vaccine will continue to be monitored for unusual or severe problems.

What to look for if there is a moderate or severe reaction:

Any unusual condition, such as high fever or behavior changes.  Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.

What you should do:

Call a doctor, or get the child to a doctor right away.

Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened and when the vaccination was given. 

Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form.  Or you can file this report through the VAERS website at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.  VAERS does not provide medical advice.

Provided by CDC National Immunization Program