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Immunization : Your Best Protection

Rotavirus

The new rotavirus oral vaccine, for infants 6-24 weeks of age, is a safe and effective way to protect your baby from this serious disease.

• What is rotavirus?
• Why is the rotavirus vaccine important?
• How well does the rotavirus vaccine protect against rotavirus infection?
• Who should receive this vaccine and at what age?
• What is the risk of spreading rotavirus after being vaccinated?
• Who should NOT receive this vaccine?
• Is the rotavirus vaccine safe?
• Is my child likely to get intussusception from the rotavirus vaccine?
• How do I ensure that my child receives this vaccine?
• When should I call my health care provider?
• Who should I talk to if I have any questions?
• Your record of protection
• Further information

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What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of severe diarrhea in infants and children. It causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, sometimes called gastroenteritis.  Most young children are infected with it at least once by age five. In Ontario, children under 2 years of age suffer the most from rotavirus and are most likely to have severe complications that lead to hospitalizations.

Symptoms

Once a person has been exposed to rotavirus, it takes about 24-72 hours for symptoms to appear. Symptoms include:

• fever
• vomiting
• watery diarrhea
• abdominal (stomach) pain

Vomiting and diarrhea can last from 3-8 days.

Complications

• loss of body fluids (dehydration), especially in infants and young children
• severe dehydration may require a visit to the emergency department or hospital where intravenous (IV) fluids may need to be given
• children with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness for a longer period of time

How it spreads

Rotavirus is very contagious, spreading easily from children who are already infected to other children and sometimes adults. Large amounts of rotavirus are shed in the stool of an infected person, the virus can be easily spread via contaminated hands and objects, such as toys. Children can spread the rotavirus both before and after they become sick with diarrhea.

It is very common for children to be in contact with the virus in daycare centres, family homes and homes for the elderly. Children can be infected with rotavirus several times during their lives.

Common ways to get the rotavirus infection include :

• close contact or living in a house with a person infected with the rotavirus illness
• touching objects (e.g., toys) or surfaces (e.g., tables) contaminated with rotavirus and then putting fingers in the mouth
• eating food prepared by an infected person

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Why is the rotavirus vaccine important?

The vaccine is the best way to protect children against rotavirus disease. It will not prevent diarrhea and vomiting caused by other infectious bugs, but it is very good at preventing severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus.

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How well does the rotavirus vaccine protect against rotavirus infection?

The rotavirus vaccine that is being used in Ontario, Rotarix™, has shown 85-96% effective protection against severe inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by rotavirus.

The vaccine offers at least 70-87% protection against rotavirus infection of any severity.

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Who should receive this vaccine and at what age?

Infants, between 2 and 6 months
In Ontario, the rotavirus vaccine is publicly funded for infants 6 - 24 weeks of age. The following dosing schedule is recommended:

• the first dose at 2 months of age; and
• the second dose 4 months of age.

All rotavirus vaccine doses should be given by 24 weeks of age.

Rotavirus vaccines are only recommended for use in young infants. The use of rotavirus vaccine is not recommended for older children and adults. Most older children and adults will have some immunity to rotavirus disease because of previous infection at a younger age.

The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine that is swallowed. It is not injected.

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What is the risk of spreading rotavirus after being vaccinated?

The vaccine form of the rotavirus can be found in the stool or feces of infants for up to 10 days after they have received their vaccination, and can infect people who are not immunized.

To prevent the spread of the virus, wash your hands carefully after contact with the vaccinated infant, especially after changing a diaper.

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Who should NOT receive this vaccine?

Infants who :

• have an allergy to the vaccine or any of its components
  
• have suspected or known immunocompromising conditions (weakened immune systems), such as asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic HIV infection
• have a history of intussusception (a blockage in the bowel created when a section of the bowel moves into the next)
• have uncorrected congenital abdominal disorders (such as Mechel’s diverticulum)
• have severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (SCID)
• received blood products, including immunoglobulin within 42 days.

Administration of the rotavirus vaccine should be temporarily delayed in infants suffering from fever, diarrhea or vomiting. Severe allergy to latex requires special consideration before vaccination.

You should always discuss the benefits and risks of any vaccine with your health care provider or local public health unit.

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Is the rotavirus vaccine safe?

Yes.

The rotavirus vaccine is safe. Most babies who get the rotavirus vaccine do not have any complications. Your child may become irritable or have mild, temporary diarrhea after getting a dose.

Rarely, babies may experience an allergic reaction such as itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue. Severe reactions are very rare and may include a slight increased risk of bowel obstruction (intussusception).

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Is my child likely to get intussusception from the rotavirus vaccine?

No.

Intussusception is a rare type of bowel obstruction. Children are not more likely to get intussusception from the rotavirus vaccine.

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How do I ensure that my child receives this vaccine?

Contact your local public health unit for additional information about how to get the vaccine for your child.

Be sure you read and understand the information that will be provided to you by your local public health unit and by your health care provider.

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When should I call my health care provider?

Call your health care provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if your child has any of the following reactions within three days of receiving the rotavirus vaccine :

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• trouble breathing, hoarseness or wheezing
• high fever (over 40°C)
• convulsions or seizures
• other serious reactions to the vaccine (e.g., paraesthesia, a numbness, tingling or pricking sensation in the skin)

Any reaction to a vaccine should be reported to your health care provider who will report these occurrences to your local public health unit.

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Who should I talk to if I have any questions?

For more information please contact your health care provider or your local public health unit.

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Your record of protection

After any immunization, make sure your personal immunization record (i.e., the “Yellow Card”) is updated.  If your child is attending child care or school, inform your local public health unit each time your child receives an immunization.

An immunization record is required for child care, school attendance, for certain types of travel and work, so keep it in a safe place.

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For further information

Download this fact sheet for more information.

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