Rotavirus vaccine protects against rotavirus , the leading cause of severe diarrhea in babies and young children. The vaccine will not prevent diarrhea caused by other germs. Before the development of the vaccine, almost  all children in the U.S. had at least one rotavirus infection before their 5th birthday. Rotavirus is a liquid that is given orally, not as a shot. It can also  be given with other vaccines.

Who should get the rotavirus vaccine and when ?

Two brands of the vaccine is available. Your baby will get 2 or 3 doses depending on which vaccine is used.

Schedule

 
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months (not needed if the Rotarix brand of vaccine was given at 2 and 4 months)

Who should not get the vaccine?

You should not get the virus if you fall into this category :

 
• child younger than 6 weeks
• child 8 months or older
• child who has had a severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction to a dose of rotavirus vaccine should not get another dose
• a baby with severe (life-threatening) allergy to any component of rotavirus vaccine should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if your baby has severe allergies such as allergies to latex.
• babies with  “severe combined immunodeficiency” (SCID)
• babies who have “intussusception” which is a type of bowel blockage

Who should wait ?

Babies who are mildly ill can probably get the vaccine. Babies who are moderately or severely ill should probably wait until they recover. This includes babies with moderate or severe diarrhea or vomiting.

Check with your doctor if your baby’s immune system is compromised due to :

 
• HIV/AIDS or other diseases that affects the immune system
• cancer or cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
• treatment with medications such  as long-term steroids

Risk associated with the rotavirus vaccine .

A vaccine like  any medication can cause serious allergic reaction . These are usually mild and go away on their own. Most babies however do not experience any reaction. In very rare cases allergy reaction can be severe.

Mild problems : These include :

 
• irritability
• mild, temporary diarrhea
• vomiting

 
Serious problems : Serious problems baby may encounter after this vaccine is intussusception.  This is a type of bowel blockage that is treated in a hospital and could require surgery.  It usually happens within a week after the 1^st or 2^nd vaccine dose.

What do I do if my child has a serious allergic reaction ?

Look for the following signs of  Intussusception in your child

 
• stomach pain along with severe crying
• baby might pull his  legs up to his chest.
• vomiting
• bloody stool
• weak
• irritable

 
Look for the following signs that concern may concern you such as

 
• very high fever
• behavioral change
• allergic reactions such as  difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, hives, swelling of face and throat, dizziness, and weakness

 
If you think your baby has intussusception, call your doctor right  away  or send him to the hospital. Be sure to let them know that your baby got the rotavirus vaccine.

If you thinks it is a severe allergic reaction or an emergency, call  your emergency number or 911 immediately. After that you or your doctor should  report it  to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) through the VAERS website or by calling 1-800-822-7967
 
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