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More Information about Rotarix Vaccinations at Doctor Today

Rotavirus and the Rotarix vaccine

Each year more than 600,000 children worldwide die from diarrhoeal disease caused by rotavirus, and another two million are hospitalised. Most deaths occur in developing countries where access to treatment is limited; however, nearly every child in the world will suffer an episode of diarrhoea caused by rotavirus before age five. The reason is that, unlike other diarrhoeal diseases, rotavirus is not spread by contaminated water, so simple hygiene measures do not protect children. The rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline) is the only known way to protect children against the virus at present, offering a protection level of 85% for all Rotavirus disease and 100% for severe Rotavirus disease (more information).

Optimal vaccination schedule

The optimal time to vaccinate a child with Rotarix is at 2 and 4 months when side effects have been shown to be no different to a placebo (sugar water) (more information). If the course is started after 5 months there is a very small increased risk (one in 12,000 using an earlier vaccine called Rotashield) of intussusception (a condition in which the bowel folds in on itself and may need hospital treatment). If you are considering protection for a child older than 4 months who has not had any diarrhoeal illness since birth because you are travelling abroad where medical resources are poor, you should discuss the risks with a clinician but generally this is not encouraged by the Department of Health in UK as the vaccine is not yet registered for this group.

Compatibility with other vaccines

Oral rotavirus vaccine can be given at the same time as the standard 5-in-1 diphtheria-tetanus-polio-Haemophilus influenzae type b and oral polio vaccine.

Further information

Please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@doctortoday.co.uk or call us on 020 7433 1444 if you have any further questions or wish to book a Rotarix vaccination.