Rotavirus Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know

"One of the Recommended Vaccines

How to Pronounce Rotavirus media icon[MP3]

At a Glance

Rotavirus spreads easily among infants and young children. The virus can cause severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Children who get rotavirus disease can become dehydrated and may need to be hospitalized.

CDC recommends that infants get rotavirus vaccine to protect against rotavirus disease. Two rotavirus vaccines are currently licensed for infants in the United States. Starting at 2 months old, infants should get two or three doses depending on the brand of rotavirus vaccine.

Who Should Get Rotavirus Vaccine?

Infants should get rotavirus vaccine to protect against rotavirus disease.

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

• RotaTeq® (RV5), which is given in three doses at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age
• Rotarix® (RV1), which is given in two doses at 2 months and 4 months of age

The first dose of rotavirus vaccine should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age. Children should receive all doses of rotavirus vaccine before they turn 8 months of age. Both vaccines are given by putting drops in the infant’s mouth.

Your child’s doctor can help you choose which rotavirus vaccine to use.

For more information, see About the Vaccine..."
Rotavirus vaccination 

Rotavirus Vaccines

"Rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect your child against rotavirus disease.

Most children (about 9 out of 10) who get the vaccine will be protected from severe rotavirus disease. About 7 out of 10 children will be protected from rotavirus disease of any severity.

Two rotavirus vaccines are currently licensed for infants in the United States:

• RotaTeq® is given in 3 doses at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months
• Rotarix® is given in 2 doses at ages 2 months and 4 months

The first dose of either vaccine should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age. Children should receive all doses of rotavirus vaccine before they turn 8 months old.

Both vaccines are given by putting drops in the child’s mouth.

What Everyone Should Know

Vaccine basics for parents of infants and children..."
Rotavirus

Prevent Rotavirus

"Rotavirus causes diarrhea and spreads easily among infants and young children. Some children may get severe diarrhea, become dehydrated and need to be hospitalized. You can protect your child with rotavirus vaccine.

Rotavirus disease is common among infants and young children. Rotavirus can cause severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Some children with rotavirus disease lose a lot of fluids and become very dehydrated. As a result, they may need to be hospitalized and can even die.

Rotavirus spreads easily among children. A child can get rotavirus by accidently getting (stool) poop into their mouth from another child who has rotavirus. This can happen if a child puts their unwashed hands or a contaminated object, food, or liquids into their mouth. In the United States, children are more likely to get rotavirus from December to June..."
Rotavirus