Oral Rotavirus Vaccine: Schedule and Precautions

Indications

Prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children up to 24 months of age.

Composition, forms, route of administration

• Oral suspension in monodose plastic tube.
• Rotarix, 1.5 ml tube, live-attenuated monovalent human rotavirus vaccine (RV1, strain RIX4414).
• Rotasiil, 2 ml tube, live-attenuated pentavalent human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RV5, G1, G2, G3, G4, and G9).
• Rotateq, 2 ml tube, live-attenuated pentavalent human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RV5, G1, G2, G3, G4, and P1A[8]).
• Do not administer by parenteral route.

Dose and vaccination schedule

Child 6 weeks to 24 months: depending on the available vaccine, 2 to 3 doses at least 4 weeks apart.

• Shake the plastic tube and squeeze the entire content into the mouth.
• Recommended schedule: Rotarix at 6 weeks and 10 weeks. Rotasiil and Rotateq at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer in case of acute gastroenteritis, history of intussusception, severe immunodeficiency, or allergic reactions to a previous dose of vaccine.
• Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness; minor infections are not contra-indications.
• May cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, irritability, and rarely intussusception or anaphylactic reactions.
• If the child regurgitates, spits out, or vomits the vaccine immediately after administration, wait a few minutes and re-administer the same dose.
• Other rotavirus vaccines may be available. The vaccination should be completed with the same vaccine when feasible. If not possible, follow national and manufacturer recommendations.
• Rotavirus vaccine can be administered concomitantly with other vaccines recommended in childhood.