Topic: Rotavirus and immunisation
Description
Rotaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause severe viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Before vaccines became available, rotavirus caused about half of all hospitalised cases of gastroenteritis in children less than five years of age. It is estimated that in Australia, about 4% of children were admitted to hospital with rotavirus gastroenteritis in their first five years of life.
The virus is highly contagious and can cause outbreaks among children in childcare. By five years of age, almost every child will have been infected with rotavirus.
In temperate climates, rotavirus diarrhoea occurs in seasonal peaks during cooler months. In tropical climates, cases occur throughout the year.
Practical Advice
Immunisation
Oral vaccines are available for young infants to prevent severe diarrhoea and vomiting caused by rotavirus. Immunisation reduces the risk of developing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis by 85-100% and any rotavirus gatroenteritis by around 70%.
However, there are strict timeframes for when this vaccine can be given to your child. It is important to discuss this with your doctor or vaccine service provider.
Immunisation against rotavirus is recommended as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
In Queensland, the vaccine used is given in three oral (swallowed) doses at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Dose 1 cannot be given after the child reaches 13 weeks of age and no further doses can be given after the child reaches 33 weeks of age.
Catchup of rotavirus immunisation is not recommended.
Rotavirus vaccine can be safely given at the same time as other recommended immunisations on the childhood schedule.
It is important that your child receives all recommended doses of the vaccine at the recommended times, to ensure they are fully protected.
Possible side effects of the vaccine
Like all medications, vaccines may have side effects. Most side effects are minor, last a short time and do not lead to any long-term problems.
Infants who are immunised with rotavirus vaccine may have slightly increased risk (1-3%) of developing diarrhoea or vomiting in the week after vaccine administration. More serious side effects are extremely rare.
Recent investigations have suggested there may be a slightly increased risk of intussusception, a rare bowel condition, associated with rotavirus vaccination. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have reviewed recent evidence and found that the benefits of rotavirus vaccination outweigh the risks associated with it.
ATAGI recommends the continued use of the rotavirus vaccine for infants under the National Immunisation Program.
More information can be found on the Immunise Australia website (parent fact sheet).
Contact your immunisation provider if your child has a reaction following vaccination which you consider serious or unexpected.
If your child has previously had intussusception, he/she should not receive rotavirus vaccine.
Pre-vaccination checklist
This checklist helps your doctor/nurse decide about vaccinating you or your child.
Please tell your doctor/nurse if the person about to be vaccinated:
- is unwell today
- has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS) or is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy)
- has had a severe reaction following any vaccine
- has any severe allergies (to anything)
- has had any vaccine in the past month
- has had an injection of immunoglobulin, or received any blood products or a whole blood transfusion within the past year
- is pregnant
- has a past history of Guillain-Barr syndrome
- was a preterm infant
- has a chronic illness
- has a bleeding disorder.
A different vaccine schedule may be recommended if the person to be vaccinated:
- identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- does not have a functioning spleen
- is planning a pregnancy or anticipating parenthood
- is a parent, grandparent or carer of a newborn
- lives with someone who has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS), or lives with someone who is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy).
Care after vaccination
- To lower temperature or relieve discomfort, paracetamol may be given.
- If fever persists, consult your doctor.
- Many young babies have long crying episodes but if your baby also looks pale or develops vomiting you should take him or her to your GP or to the hospital.
- If any reaction occurs that you consider serious or unexpected, seek medical advice.
- Contact the service provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination.
Where can I be immunised?
You can be immunised at your local doctor or medical centre. Some councils, community child health and community health centres hold free immunisation clinics. Check with them for details.
Other Resources
For further information please contact:
- your doctor
- nearest public health unit
- 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- Immunise Australia National Infoline: 1800 671 811.
Immunise Australia
A website about childhood immunisation produced by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Information about communicable diseases including vaccine preventable diseases.
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
A website about the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), produced by Medicare Australia.
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing. 2005. Staying Healthy in Child Care. 4th edition. NHMRC
Heymann, D., ed. 2004. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. Rotavirus vaccines for Australian children: information for GPs and immunisation providers. The University of Sydney.
National Health and Medical Research Council, 2008. The Australian Immunisation Handbook (9th Ed).
Related Content
Communicable Diseases factsheet - Rotavirus
Gastroenteritis fact sheet
Last updated: 28th March, 2011
Review Date: 28th March, 2011
