Rotavirus vaccine

What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis, an infection of the intestines. The infection damages the inner lining of the intestine and as a result, food passes through with little or no nutrients being absorbed by the body. 

Children between six months and two years are most vulnerable. Studies show that nearly every child catches the infection before their fifth birthday. 

Rotavirus is extremely contagious, spreading easily through ordinary person-to-person contact. It is present in faeces and spreads by hand-to-mouth contact, and contaminated water or objects. It can survive on toys and can also be transmitted by an infected person coughing and sneezing. 

What are the symptoms of a rotavirus infection?

Your baby may start to have symptoms in about 18 to 36 hours after contracting the rotavirus infection. Common symptoms include:

• fever
• nausea and vomiting
• mild to severe diarrhoea, that usually lasts for three to seven days
• abdominal cramps
• cough
• runny nose

Severe diarrhoea and vomiting may make your baby dehydrated because of the loss of fluids and electrolytes. So, it is important to give him fluids like ORS recommended by your doctor. Babies on solid food and toddlers can also have some tender coconut water. In severe cases your baby may need to be admitted to hospital. If left untreated it can prove fatal due to dehydration. 

Why should my baby have the rotavirus vaccine?

The rotavirus vaccine is a compulsory vaccine. The World Health Organization recommends the rotavirus vaccine as the only prevention and control measure for rotavirus. Most babies who get the vaccine won't get rotavirus diarrhoea at all, and almost all of them will be protected from severe rotavirus diarrhoea. 

Rotavirus infection can be prevented to some extent by maintaining good hygiene practices like washing hands

• after using the toilet
• after changing nappies
• after handling soiled clothing
• before preparing and eating food
• before feeding your baby

However, good hygiene and sanitation are not as effective as the rotavirus vaccine in preventing rotavirus infection. Immunisation will protect your baby even further. 

Speak to your child's doctor for more information. You can also download a printable version of the immunisation schedule to see which vaccines are compulsory and which are optional. 

Are there any side-effects of the rotavirus vaccine?

Some babies may become irritable and have mild symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, runny nose and fever after having the vaccine. However, no serious side-effects have been recorded. The risk of any vaccine causing serious harm is extremely small. 

Can the vaccine be given to all babies?

A child with a mild illness can probably have the rotavirus vaccine. However, you'll want to delay it if your child is moderately or severely ill. Either way, let your doctor know that your child is sick. 

Your baby should not have the rotavirus vaccine if he:

• is less than six weeks old
• has a history of hypersensitivity to any of the vaccine components or a previous dose
• has acute gastroenteritis

In these cases, postpone the vaccination until he is better. 

There is not enough information about the safety of rotavirus vaccines in preterm babies. However, vaccination should be considered if your preterm baby is clinically stable and is at least six weeks old, as he is at a higher risk of contracting severe rotavirus infection. You will need to discuss this with your paediatrician.