Rotavirus vaccine

What is rotavirus

Rotavirus is named because of its similarity in appearance to a wheel (rota means wheel in Latin) when viewed by electron microscopy. Rotavirus mainly infects the intestinal epithelial cells and produces enterotoxins, which in turn damage the cells and cause diarrhea and vomiting leading to severe body fluid loss among infants and young children throughout the world.

Rotavirus disease is highly contagious and almost all children were infected by the age of 5. In Malaysia, about 22% to 50% cases of all diarrhoea in children are caused by rotavirus. Rotavirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through fecal.

When is the rotavirus vaccine given?

In Malaysia, Rotavirus vaccination is not included in our national immunization programme. However, the vaccination is indicated for infants 6 weeks and above for the prevention of diarrhoea and vomiting caused by rotavirus. It may be given from the age of 6 weeks to 32 weeks depending on the type of vaccine given.

Currently there are 2 types of rotavirus vaccine available in the Malaysian market, series of 2 doses and 3 doses. Both are proven to be safe and efficacious in preventing severe diarrhoea in young children. According to data from clinical trials, Rotavirus vaccine was found to be effective in preventing 85% to 98% of severe rotavirus disease and 74% to 87% of all rotavirus disease.

What is rotavirus vaccine

Rotavirus vaccine is mainly developed to prevent rotavirus infectious diarrhea. Rotavirus vaccines can be issued as oral forms. In Malaysia, there two type of vaccine given as follows:

Vaccine in a series of 3 doses to be completed before 32 weeks of age: The first dose is administered at 6 to 12 weeks of age. The remaining dose is given at a minimum of 4 weeks between each dose.
Vaccine in a series of 2 doses to be completed before 24 weeks of age: The first dose is administered from 6 weeks of age with subsequent dose administered at a minimal 4 weeks interval.

Who should not be given the Rotavirus vaccine?

It should be noted that children who have a severe allergic reaction to rotavirus vaccine, fever, children with bowel blockage (intussusception ) or baby born with malformation of the gut, and children with immunodeficiency and immunotherapy are not suitable for rotavirus vaccine.

Rotavirus vaccine side effects

In most cases, oral rotavirus vaccine will not have too many side effects, but only some children will have mild diarrhea and vomiting due to personal physical problems or other factors, but parents need not worry too much. It will disappear after 2-3 days.

There is also a small chance of serious allergic reaction after getting vaccinated. They usually develop rashes, swelling of the face and throat that leads to difficulty in breathing and weakness.

Rarely, the babies experience bowel obstruction known as intussusception. However, parents should observe if their babies develop stomach pain, persistent vomiting and bloody stools. You should bring your babies to hospital immediately.

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