Rotarix (RV1) is a live attenuated ORAL vaccine. It MUST NOT be injected. Please familiarise yourself with the Rotavirus chapter in the current Immunisation Handbook, including the contraindications and precautions for this vaccine.
Rotarix is a two-dose course. The first dose is given at 6-weeks immunisation visit and the second dose at 3-months immunisation visit.
When they are 15 weeks and 0 days old. The latest that the first Rotarix dose can be given is 14 weeks and 6 days of age because of an unknown but possible increase in risk of intussusception.
If an infant does not receive their first Rotarix dose before they are 15 weeks old, they cannot receive any Rotarix doses.
An infant who inadvertently receives their first dose of Rotarix when aged 15 weeks or older should complete their course of vaccines. The second dose must be given before the infant is aged 25 weeks and 0 days.
When they are aged 25 weeks and 0 days. The latest that the second Rotarix dose can be given is 24 weeks and 6 days of age because of an unknown but possible increase in risk of intussusception.
An infant who does not receive their second rotavirus vaccine dose before they are 25 weeks old, they cannot complete a course of rotavirus vaccines.
No minimum interval is required between receiving a live oral vaccine and a live injected vaccine (BCG), blood transfusion or immunoglobulin product.
Yes. Rotarix is a vaccine and, like all vaccines, has the potential risk of anaphylaxis even though it is administered orally. The Immunisation standards for vaccinators require the vaccinator to provide safe immunisation and vaccinees to remain under observation for a minimum of 20 minutes after immunisation.
Can we give Rotarix through a nasogastric (NG) tube?
Yes. Rotarix is a liquid vaccine for oral administration (see Contraindications and precautions).
Seek further medical advice before administering Rotarix.
Seek further medical advice before administering Rotarix.
Yes. After changing nappies caregivers only need to follow standard hygiene measures, i.e. wash their hands using soap and water and dry them well or use liquid hand gel.
Yes, unless the infant also has a condition where Rotarix is contraindicated.
It depends on why they need a NG tube:
No. An infant can breast feed immediately after immunisation. No special precautions need to be taken by the mother.
Yes. A mother can safely breast feed her baby any time after they have received Rotarix. No special precautions need to be taken by the mother.
One or two babies in 10 may have mild vomiting or diarrhoea during the 7 days after immunisation. However, studies suggest these symptoms may be unrelated to rotavirus vaccine because around the same number of babies who received a placebo liquid not containing rotavirus also developed these symptoms.
There may be a small increase in the risk of developing intussusception during the week following the first vaccine dose and a smaller risk after the second dose.
It is recommended that parents seek medical advice if their baby develops intermittent crying/screaming episodes, start pulling their knees towards their chest, vomiting, or has pink or red coloured jelly-like stools.
The weakened rotavirus from the vaccine may be found in stools for up to 28 days after the first immunisation and up to 15 days after the second dose.
After changing nappies caregivers only need to follow standard hygiene measures, i.e. wash their hands using soap and water and dry them well or use liquid hand gel.
No. Babies can wear cloth or disposable nappies after immunisation. No special precautions need to be taken when washing cloth nappies.
Standard hygiene measures can be used to clean up vomit or spills. No special precautions need to be taken.
No studies have investigated transmission of vaccine virus from kissing a baby on the mouth after immunisation. However, it is theoretically possible for a person to be exposed to weakened vaccine virus in this way.
Yes. After changing nappies caregivers only need to follow standard hygiene measures, i.e. wash their hands using soap and water and dry them well or use liquid hand gel.
Yes.