From the Guidelines
The rotavirus vaccine should be administered to infants in a series of doses, with the first dose given between 6 weeks and 14 weeks, 6 days of age, and the final dose completed by 8 months of age. The recommended schedule includes doses at 2 months and 4 months for Rotarix (RV1), or at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months for RotaTeq (RV5) 1.
Key Considerations
- The minimum interval between doses of rotavirus vaccine is 4 weeks 1.
- The rotavirus vaccine is given orally, not as an injection, and can be administered at the same time as other routine infant vaccines.
- It's essential not to start the vaccine series if the infant is older than 15 weeks as this may increase the risk of intussusception, a rare but serious intestinal complication.
Vaccine Schedules
- For RV5 (RotaTeq), the recommended ages for doses are 2,4, and 6 months 1.
- For RV1 (Rotarix), the recommended ages for doses are 2 and 4 months 1. The vaccination timing is crucial because rotavirus infections are most severe in infants and young children, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration that can be life-threatening, particularly in the first few years of life when natural immunity hasn't yet developed 1.
From the Research
Rotavirus Vaccine Administration Age
- The rotavirus vaccine is typically administered to infants in a series of doses, with the first dose given at 6-14 weeks of age 2, 3.
- The recommended schedule for the RotaTeq vaccine is three doses at ages 2,4, and 6 months, with the first dose administered between ages 6 and 12 weeks, and vaccination not initiated for infants aged >12 weeks 2.
- The vaccine should be administered at 4-10 week intervals, with all doses administered by age 32 weeks 2.
- The age range for rotavirus vaccine administration can vary depending on the specific vaccine and the country's immunization schedule, but it is generally recommended for infants under 5 years of age 3, 4.
Key Considerations
- The rotavirus vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing severe gastroenteritis in children, with a significant reduction in rotavirus hospitalization and mortality 3, 5, 6.
- The vaccine has been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for routine vaccination of U.S. infants, and its use has been associated with a significant decrease in rotavirus activity in infancy and beyond 2, 3.