Rotavirus infection primary prevention

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]

Overview

Rotavirus infection prevention relies completely on children vaccination against the infection. There are two rotavirus vaccines which are the Rotarix and Rotateq.

Primary prevention

Vaccines

Rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect children against rotavirus illness. Most children (about 9 out of 10) who get the vaccine will be protected from severe rotavirus illness. While about 7 out of 10 children will be protected from rotavirus illness.

There are currently two rotavirus vaccines licensed for use in infants in the United States:

• RotaTeq® (RV5) is given in 3 doses at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.
• Rotarix® (RV1) is given in 2 doses at ages 2 months and 4 months.

Both vaccines are given by mouth (orally), not by a shot. The first dose of either vaccine is most effective if it is given before a child is 15 weeks of age. Also, children should receive all doses of rotavirus vaccine before they turn 8 months old.

General measures

Prevention of rotavirus infection by the following:

• Access to safe drinking-water
• Use of improved sanitation
• Hand washing with soap
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
• Good personal and food hygiene
• Health education about how infections spread; and Rotavirus vaccination.

Traveler's vaccination

Two live attenuated oral vaccines are available; one based on a single rotavirus strain (monovalent), the other on five rotavirus strains (pentavalent). When administered according to the respective national recommendations (or following the schedule of routine vaccination against DTP), these vaccines are efficacious and safe.