Rotavirus
What is it?
Rotavirus is a viral infection of the digestive tract. It causes diarrhea and vomiting. It occurs most often in infants and young children. The disease is spread through fecal-oral contact. Eating food, touching surfaces, or drinking fluids contaminated with fecal matter can cause infection. Poor handwashing contributes to the spread of rotavirus. Thankfully, there’s a vaccine to protect against rotavirus.
Why is the vaccine important?
By age 5, nearly every child in the world is exposed to rotavirus. Rotavirus symptoms may last 3 – 8 days. Rotavirus can cause dehydration, which is especially dangerous for infants and young children. There is no drug to treat rotavirus infection. Severe rotavirus infections can lead to hospitalization and even death. The vaccine is very effective at preventing severe disease. However, uptake of the rotavirus vaccine is lower than other routine childhood vaccines. By following the CDC’s immunization recommendation for rotavirus, parents protect their children against this very contagious disease. Vaccination also helps mitigate outbreaks and infections in others.
Progress
Prior to the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in 2006, the disease was the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children in the U.S. Studies show that countries that routinely immunize babies against rotavirus have much lower numbers of cases of the disease than countries that do not. Before the rotavirus vaccine, the disease led to 20 – 60 infant deaths every year in the U.S. Now, the rotavirus vaccine prevents over 400,000 visits to a doctor each year. It also prevents up to 50,000 hospitalizations among infants and young children. Vaccinating infants and young children also helps prevent the spread of the disease among older children and adults.
Vaccine Recommendations
Rotavirus vaccines are oral (swallowed) vaccines, not injections. There are two rotavirus vaccines available. The number of vaccines needed and timing of doses depends on the vaccine given. Children should receive 3 doses of the RotaTeq vaccine, 1 dose each at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months old. The Rotarix vaccine is given in 2 doses, one at 2 months and one at 4 months. Rotavirus vaccines will not prevent diarrhea or vomiting caused by other germs. They are effective at preventing diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus.
Side Effects
Vaccines, like any medicine, can cause side effects (also known as "adverse reactions"). Most side effects are mild and go away within a few days. Common side effects include fever, headache, or body aches. They can also include redness where a shot was given and tiredness. Side effects are normal. They can even be a good sign that the immune system is working to build antibodies that will fight off future infections!
For the rotavirus vaccines, side effects may also include irritability, mild diarrhea, or vomiting. There is also a small chance of intussusception (bowel blockage). Intussusception happens naturally in some children regardless of rotavirus vaccination. Intussusception may require hospitalization and/or surgery. The risk of intussusception occurs within a week of rotavirus vaccination after the first or second vaccine dose.
Remember, vaccines are continuously studied. They are also closely monitored for safety. Research continues to show that vaccines are safe, and the benefits outweigh the risks. The risk of a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine is rare (about 1 in 1 million). The choice not to vaccinate is ultimately more risky. Not vaccinating may lead to catching a potentially deadly disease.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about vaccine side effects. In the event of a serious allergic reaction, call 9-1-1.
