Rotateq
Rotavirus vaccine is a live vaccine that protects your child from getting rotavirus gastroenteritis, a stomach infection caused by rotavirus. There are 2 available rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix (a 2-dose series) and RotaTeq (a 3-dose series), and your child will typically get one or the other. Both are given by mouth and most babies start their first dose around 2 months old. Rotavirus vaccine is recommended as a routine vaccine for all children, except for those with certain medical conditions.
What is Rotavirus vaccine?
What is Rotavirus vaccine used for?
- Prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children
How Rotavirus vaccine works
Rotavirus vaccine is a live, attenuated vaccine that protects you from rotavirus gastroenteritis, which is a stomach infection caused by rotavirus. The exact way that this vaccine works is unknown. It's thought that after you take this vaccine, the weakened version of rotavirus makes copies of itself in your gut. Your body's immune system then makes antibodies against the weakened bacteria. These antibodies will help you fight against the actual rotavirus if it ever infects your body.
Drug facts
Side effects of Rotavirus vaccine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Caregiver-reported side effects within 8 days of receiving a dose of Rotarix:
- Fussiness/feeling irritated (52%)
- Cough (31%)
- Runny nose (31%)
- Fever (28%)
- Loss of appetite (25%)
- Vomiting (13%)
Caregiver-reported side effects within 7 days of receiving a dose of RotaTeq:
- Diarrhea (10%)
- Vomiting (7%)
- Fussiness/feeling irritated (7%)
Less Common Side Effects
Rotarix:
- Diarrhea
RotaTeq:
- Ear infection
- Common cold symptoms
Rotavirus vaccine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Intussusception (when a part of the bowel slides into another part of the bowel): swollen belly, vomiting, blood or mucus in stool, drawing the knees up towards the chest
The following Rotavirus vaccine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
headache
irritability
muscle aches
stuffy or runny nose
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
difficulty with breathing
noisy breathing
shortness of breath
tightness in the chest
Rare
Black, tarry stools
seizures
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Irritability
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Rotavirus vaccine
Pros
- Comes as a liquid that's taken by mouth, not an injection
- Rotarix is only a 2-dose series
- Can be given at the same time with other vaccines
- Babies can continue to drink breast milk or formula before and after the vaccine
Cons
- Needs to be given by a healthcare professional
- Only used in children 6 weeks to 8 months old
- Rotarix contains latex, which can be a problem for children with a latex allergy
- RotaTeq is a 3-dose series
Pharmacist tips for Rotavirus vaccine
- While rotavirus vaccine lowers your child's risk for severe rotavirus disease, it won't completely prevent your child from getting infected. For the best protection, your child should receive all rotavirus vaccine doses. Additionally, you and any close contacts should maintain good handwashing and cleanliness, especially after diaper changes and touching surfaces.
- Make sure to mark your child's appointments to receive rotavirus vaccine on a calendar so they don't miss any doses. It's not known how well rotavirus vaccine works to protect your child from rotavirus if not all the doses of the series are given on time. If an appointment was missed, call your child's provider right away.
- Wait until your child is healthy to get rotavirus vaccine. This will help make sure their immune system protects them as best as it can. If your child has a mild sickness, such as a cold, your child might still be able to get rotavirus vaccine. But if your child feels moderately or severely sick, wait until they recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether or not your child can get this vaccine.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your child's immunizations and show it to your child's provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including rotavirus vaccine, to make sure they're receiving all vaccines on time.
- Let your child's provider know if you're not sure which rotavirus vaccine your child has received in the past. Your child might need to restart the vaccine and get 3 doses total to make sure they're fully protected from rotavirus.
- The tip caps of Rotarix contains latex. Tell your child's provider if your child has an allergy to latex.
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on rotavirus vaccine.
- If your child experiences a severe reaction to rotavirus vaccine, you or your child's provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Common questions about Rotavirus vaccine
Both are live vaccines taken by mouth and work well to prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis. The main difference is RotaTeq is a 3-dose series for children ages 6 weeks to 8 months old, whereas Rotarix is a 2-dose series for children ages 6 weeks to 6 months old. Additionally, the RotaTeq plastic dosing tube and cap don't contain latex whereas Rotarix contains latex in the tip caps.
Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a potentially life-threatening infection. It's most common in infants and young children, but older children and adults can still get sick from rotavirus. Unvaccinated children are at high risk for severe infection. Your child can get sick if the virus gets in their mouth. This can happen if they don't wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom, touch surfaces that have rotavirus on them, or by eating food that is dirty with rotavirus in it. Symptoms of infection last for 3 to 8 days and can include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach pain. This can lead to loss of appetite and dehydration, which can be dangerous, especially in children. There isn't any specific medication to treat rotavirus, just fluids to prevent dehydration. You might need to take your child to the hospital if they're very sick.
Rotavirus vaccine is given as a liquid by mouth, but it's not a vaccination you can pick up at the pharmacy and give to your child at home. Rotavirus vaccine is typically given at your child's provider's office.
If your child gets infected with rotavirus before they started or completed the rotavirus vaccine series, they're still recommended to start or complete the rotavirus vaccine series that's appropriate for their age. This is because your child's body might not have built up a strong enough defense against future rotavirus infections from that first infections, so the vaccine can still be beneficial. If your child already had the rotavirus, talk with your child's provider about their options.
No, it's not known if rotavirus vaccine is safe or works well in adults. Rotarix is only for children ages 6 weeks to 6 months old and RotaTeq is only for children ages 6 weeks to 8 months old. Fortunately, adults who get rotavirus tend to have milder symptoms compared to children.
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Risks and warnings for Rotavirus vaccine
Rotavirus vaccine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Not recommended for people with weakened immune systems
- Risk factors: Weakened immune system from medical conditions or medications
Rotavirus vaccine hasn't been studied in people with weakened immune systems. Live-attenuated vaccines, like rotavirus vaccine, generally aren't recommended for most people with weakened immune systems. This is because they're at higher risk of serious infection from the weakened virus in the vaccines. It's also possible that they won't build up a strong enough protection against infections through the vaccines. People with weakened immune systems include those with certain medical conditions (e.g., HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and cancer) and those taking medications that can weaken the immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids and transplant medications). If your child has a weakened immune system, ask your child's provider or pharmacist if rotavirus vaccine is right for them.
Stomach or intestine conditions
- Risk factors: History of stomach or intestine problems (e.g., active stomach sickness, long-term diarrhea, failure to thrive, surgery in stomach or intestine)
Make sure your child's provider knows all about your child's medical history before giving them rotavirus vaccine. It's not known if rotavirus vaccine is safe or works well in children with stomach or intestine problems, so please ask your child's provider about the risks and benefits of using this medication. If your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, they might be recommended to wait until their symptoms go away before they can take this vaccine.
Risk of spreading rotavirus to others
- Risk factors: Not washing hands after changing diapers | Not washing hands before preparing food | Living with people who have a poor immune system | Living in close contact with other people
After taking rotavirus vaccine, your child might continue to pass a weakened version of rotavirus in their stool for up to 2 weeks or longer. While this weakened virus is unlikely to make people sick, there's still a chance that some people can get sick, especially if they have a poor immune system. That's why it's important to wash your hands very well with soap and water after you change your child's diapers and before you prepare food.
Intussusception
Very rarely, children who've taken rotavirus vaccine experienced intussusception, typically within a week after their first or second dose. This is a life-threatening condition where a part of the intestines slides into the next part, sort of like a telescope. Intussusception can be treated if medical attention is given right away. If you notice that your child has a swollen belly, vomiting, blood or mucus in stool, or if your child is drawing their knees up towards the chest, call 911 or go to a hospital and let the medical staff know your child has recently received rotavirus vaccine.
Rotavirus vaccine dosage
Ampule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2ml | 1 ampule | $107.97 | $107.97 |
Typical dosage for Rotavirus vaccine
- RotaTeq (3-dose series): The typical dose is to give 2 mL by mouth at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.
- Rotarix (2-dose series): The typical dose is to give 1 mL by mouth at ages 2 months and 4 months.
Interactions between Rotavirus vaccine and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this vaccine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to use this vaccine or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Aclarubicin
- Aldesleukin
- Altretamine
- Amonafide
- Amsacrine
- Asparaginase
- Azacitidine
- Betamethasone
- Bleomycin
- Broxuridine
- Busulfan
- Capecitabine
- Carboplatin
- Carmustine
- Chlorambucil
- Cisplatin
- Cladribine
- Corticotropin
- Cortisone
- Cosyntropin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Cytarabine
- Cytarabine Liposome
- Dacarbazine
- Dactinomycin
- Daunorubicin
- Daunorubicin Citrate Liposome
- Decitabine
- Deflazacort
- Dexamethasone
- Docetaxel
- Doxifluridine
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Edatrexate
- Eflornithine
- Epirubicin
- Estramustine
- Etoposide
- Floxuridine
- Fludarabine
- Fludrocortisone
- Fluocortolone
- Fluorouracil
- Fotemustine
- Gallium Nitrate
- Gemcitabine
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydroxyurea
- Idarubicin
- Ifosfamide
- Interferon Alfa
- Interferon Alfacon-1
- Interferon Beta
- Interferon Beta-1a
- Interferon Beta-1b
- Interferon Gamma
- Irinotecan
- Lomustine
- Mechlorethamine
- Melphalan
- Mercaptopurine
- Methotrexate
- Methylprednisolone
- Mitolactol
- Mitomycin
- Mitotane
- Mitoxantrone
- Oxaliplatin
- Paclitaxel
- Paclitaxel Protein-Bound
- Paramethasone
- Pegaspargase
- Pentostatin
- Pipobroman
- Pirarubicin
- Plicamycin
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Procarbazine
- Raltitrexed
- Rituximab
- Streptozocin
- Teceleukin
- Tegafur
- Teniposide
- Thioguanine
- Thiotepa
- Topotecan
- Treosulfan
- Triamcinolone
- Trimetrexate
- Trofosfamide
- Uracil Mustard
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
- Vindesine
- Vinorelbine
Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Adalimumab
- Alemtuzumab
- Azathioprine
- Certolizumab Pegol
- Etanercept
- Everolimus
- Fingolimod
- Golimumab
- Infliximab
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Rilonacept
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
- Temsirolimus
- Trabectedin
- Ustekinumab
Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abatacept
- Leflunomide
- Vaccinia Immune Globulin, Human
How much does Rotavirus vaccine cost?
$107.97
Rotavirus vaccine contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Rotavirus vaccine will not be safe for you to take.
- Children with severe combined immunodeficiency disease
- History of intussusception
- Rotarix only: uncorrected stomach or intestine malformations