The rotavirus vaccine used in the UK gives protection against type A rotavirus infections that cause vomiting and severe diarrhoea in infants and children. It was introduced into the UK schedule in July 2013. The vaccine is over 85% effective at protecting against severe rotavirus infection in the first two years of life. Some babies who are vaccinated will still get rotavirus infection, but the disease is usually milder. See more information on Rotavirus. It is an oral vaccine, not an injection. A few drops of liquid (1.5ml) are given from a dropper into the mouth. Babies receive two doses, at 8 weeks and 12 weeks, alongside the other routine vaccines given at these times (see the UK vaccination schedule). The vaccine contains live human rotavirus that has been weakened (attenuated), so that it stimulates the immune system but does not cause disease in healthy people. However it should not be given to people who are clinically immunosuppressed (either due to drug treatment or underlying illness). This is because the vaccine strain could replicate too much and cause a serious infection. This includes babies whose mothers have had immunosuppressive treatment while they were pregnant or breastfeeding. For more information see the MHRA's Drug Safety Update (April 2016) The brand name of the rotavirus vaccine used in the UK is Rotarix (see the Patient Information Leaflet In 2014, 2015 and 2016 the number of reported cases of rotavirus fell by over 70% in the UK (see Does the vaccine work? below). In the short film below, Dr Andrew Prendergast talks about rotavirus infection and why it is important to vaccinate against the disease. What is Rotavirus and why do we need a vaccine?
https://www.youtube.com/embed/z6pvaNHRAs8?wmode=opaque&controls=&rel=0
|