Rotavirus
Rotavirus can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea in children, which in small babies
can lead to dehydration and might require a hospital stay. Babies born on or after the
1st October 2016 are given an oral (drops by mouth) rotavirus vaccine. Babies older
than 8 months should not be given the vaccine because its safety in older infants has
not yet been tested. Even babies who have had a rotavirus infection should be given the
vaccine (when they have recovered) because they may not be immune to all the viruses
that vaccination protects them against.
There are two vaccines available - Rotarix and RotaTeq. Rotarix is given as part of the childhood immunisation schedule in Ireland and is administered in 2 doses.
There are two vaccines available - Rotarix and RotaTeq. Rotarix is given as part of the childhood immunisation schedule in Ireland and is administered in 2 doses.
Very few children should not receive the rotavirus vaccine, but there are a few rare
conditions that would prevent these babies from being vaccinated: a history of blocked
gut (intussusception) or problems that may lead to a blocked gut, severe combined
immunodeficiency (SCID), or hereditary sugar intolerance (fructose intolerance,
sucrose – maltase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption). The vaccine is
always given orally and should never be injected.
Some babies will have mild diarrhoea after receiving the vaccine (about 1 in 10 babies).
Less commonly, some babies might have some tummy pain or some inflamed skin (1 in 100).
All of these symptoms will go away within a couple of days, but it's important to keep
babies hydrated with lots of milk. Wash your hands well after changing your baby's nappy,
and also avoid going swimming with your baby while they have diarrhoea.
Extremely rarely, babies can develop a blockage in their gut (caused by rotavirus vaccine in 1 of 50,000 vaccinations). This can also happen to babies naturally (about 1 in 1,500 babies in Ireland). The symptoms of a blocked gut are severe tummy pain, crying, a pale face, and possible vomiting and blood in their nappy. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Remember that the benefits of receiving vaccines that protect your child from serious diseases hugely outweigh any mild side effects from vaccination.
If you are concerned about your child, contact your doctor or local hospital for advice.
Extremely rarely, babies can develop a blockage in their gut (caused by rotavirus vaccine in 1 of 50,000 vaccinations). This can also happen to babies naturally (about 1 in 1,500 babies in Ireland). The symptoms of a blocked gut are severe tummy pain, crying, a pale face, and possible vomiting and blood in their nappy. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Remember that the benefits of receiving vaccines that protect your child from serious diseases hugely outweigh any mild side effects from vaccination.
If you are concerned about your child, contact your doctor or local hospital for advice.
Allergies to substances within vaccines can occur, though they are very rare (they
happen in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people receiving the vaccine). An allergic reaction
to a vaccine would happen quickly - probably before you left the GP's surgery. Signs
of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin, rash, shortness of breath and swelling
of the face or tongue. Before getting the vaccination, speak to your doctor if your
child has experienced any allergic reactions previously.
If you are concerned about your child, contact your doctor or local hospital for advice.
If you are concerned about your child, contact your doctor or local hospital for advice.
Rotarix was tested in 75,000 babies in several countries worldwide, in 27 clinical trials.
The studies looked at the effectiveness and safety of Rotarix in full-term and
premature babies; the studies showed that Rotarix is safe and that it reduced severe
gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) in babies.
Three placebo-controlled studies (some babies were given a placebo and some were given Rotarix) were performed in Finland, India and Bangladesh. These studies showed that reports of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea etc. were the same in both the placebo group and the group that received the Rotarix vaccine.
Rotateq was tested in 71,725 babies in 3 placebo-controlled clinical trials. The studies looked at the effectiveness and safety of Rotateq in full-term and premature babies; the studies showed that Rotateq is safe and that it reduced severe gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) in babies during the rotavirus 'season' (late autumn to early spring).
Three placebo-controlled studies (some babies were given a placebo and some were given Rotarix) were performed in Finland, India and Bangladesh. These studies showed that reports of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea etc. were the same in both the placebo group and the group that received the Rotarix vaccine.
Rotateq was tested in 71,725 babies in 3 placebo-controlled clinical trials. The studies looked at the effectiveness and safety of Rotateq in full-term and premature babies; the studies showed that Rotateq is safe and that it reduced severe gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) in babies during the rotavirus 'season' (late autumn to early spring).
Information on rotavirus vaccination from the HSE (Ireland):
http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/newschedule/VPDs/rotavirus/
Information on rotavirus vaccination from the NHS (UK):
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/rotavirus-vaccine.aspx
Information on rotavirus vaccination from the CDC (USA):
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rotavirus.html
Information on rotavirus from the World Health Organisation:
http://www.who.int/immunization/topics/rotavirus/en/
Recommendation of rotavirus vaccination by the World Health Organisation:
http://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/newsstory_rotavirus_vaccines_immunization_programmes/en/
Rotarix vaccine Patient Information Leaflet:
http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/15019/PIL/Rotarix+oral+suspension+in+pre-filled+oral+applicator/
Rotarix vaccine Summary of Product Characteristics:
http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/15020/SPC/Rotarix+oral+suspension+in+pre-filled+oral+applicator/
http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/newschedule/VPDs/rotavirus/
Information on rotavirus vaccination from the NHS (UK):
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/rotavirus-vaccine.aspx
Information on rotavirus vaccination from the CDC (USA):
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rotavirus.html
Information on rotavirus from the World Health Organisation:
http://www.who.int/immunization/topics/rotavirus/en/
Recommendation of rotavirus vaccination by the World Health Organisation:
http://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/newsstory_rotavirus_vaccines_immunization_programmes/en/
Rotarix vaccine Patient Information Leaflet:
http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/15019/PIL/Rotarix+oral+suspension+in+pre-filled+oral+applicator/
Rotarix vaccine Summary of Product Characteristics:
http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/15020/SPC/Rotarix+oral+suspension+in+pre-filled+oral+applicator/
