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You are here : home > Child's Healthcare > Basics of immunization > Importance and Schedule of Rotavirus Vaccination

Importance and Schedule of Rotavirus Vaccination


Importance and Schedule of Rotavirus Vaccination
Vomiting, diarrhoea and flu in newborn babies can be symptoms of rotavirus infection. Read on to know more about rotavirus infection and the vaccination schedule
Is your newborn suffering from severe diarrhoea? Are you sure that the fever your baby has is just the common flu? With the existence of the rotavirus infection you can never be sure of the flu or diarrhoea that your child is suffering from. The rotavirus had affected the United States a few years ago and many children suffered from severe diarrhoea. It had brought thousands of children to the emergency units and 20 to 60 kids below the age of 5 died because of the rotavirus diarrhoea.
Earlier a vaccine called the Rotashield was introduced to prevent children from these wheel shaped rotation virus. However, the Rotashield vaccine created a new condition in the child’s body where the small bowel folds back, causing the bowel to obstruct.

Why Give Your Baby the Rotavirus Vaccination?

Thankfully, there are now two types of vaccines for the Rotavirus and both have been tested safe on over 70,000 children. The virus causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting in babies. It also leads to dehydration and in some cases, death. Hygienic sanitation procedures and clean conditions will not prevent the disease. The virus spreads with human contact easily and hence the only way to prevent your child from the virus is to vaccinate.

What Are the Risks of the Virus Against Adults?

Even adults get affected by the virus. However, the infection is very mild when compared to what the virus does to infants and young children.

Difference between the Rotarix and the Rotateq Vaccine

The only difference between the two vaccines is the presence of latex in the substance. The Rotateq vaccine contains latex while the Rotarix does not contain any latex. If a child shows symptoms of allergy to latex then the Rotarix vaccine can be administered.

Schedule for the Rotavirus Vaccination in India

The Rotavirus vaccine is given orally unlike other vaccines that are given intravenously.
  • One dose at 2 months of age
  • One dose at 4 months of age
  • One does at 6 months of age
This is the standard dosage chart if the child is to be given the Rotateq vaccine. If the child is to be administered the Rotarix vaccine then one dose at the age of 2 months and one at the age of 4 months will suffice.

Precautions to Take

Although the rotavirus vaccine is a must for young children and infants, there is a certain list of precautions to be taken.
  • A child younger than 6 weeks old or a child older than 8 months of age should not be given the vaccine. The correct age to take the vaccine starts at the age of 2 months.
  • If you have already given the vaccine to your child and the child shows allergic reactions to the vaccine approach your doctor and check for other options.
  • A child with a rare condition like severe combined immunodeficiency where the child faces a series of life threatening disorders, mostly genetic must not be given the vaccine.

Precautions to Be Taken

As the virus spreads with human contact, care should be taken while handling the infant. Make sure you wash your hands properly after changing the diapers of your baby. The virus is common in child care centres and hospitals and spreads easily from one child to another. Also, in unhygienic conditions where the child spends his or her time the virus can spread to adults too. Though, the adverse effects of the virus are low in adults, it might still spread to other children.
There are no side effects as such to both the Rotateq and the Rotarix virus and it is safe to use.

Why is it important to give rotavirus vaccination to babies? What are side effects of rotavirus vaccination? What is the schedule for rotavirus vaccination in India? Discuss here.



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SAMEER
SAMEER.9 years ago
My child was hospitalized a year & a half back since he was infected by Rotavirus. The treatment was given & he was discharged on recovery within 4-5 days. Now he is 2 years & 8 months old, do I require to give this vaccination again with a thought in mind that "prevention is better than cure".. Or is it not needed? Does an additional dose at this age, will have any side effect?
 
 
 
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Anandi
Anandi.9 years ago
What is the catch-up period for rota virus vaccination for babies if they are not vaccinated on time?
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Smitha
Smitha.9 years ago
I have vaccinated my baby as per the rotavirus schedule given by my baby's pediatrician.
 
 
 
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Pranali
Pranali.9 years ago
Rotavirus vaccination is invented in India. It is important to give rotavirus vaccination to babies along with other vaccinations.
 
 
 
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