ORAL ROTAVIRUS VACCINE

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    Indications

    • Prevention of gastroenteritis due to rotavirus infection in infants

    Composition, forms, route of administration

    • Live-attenuated monovalent human rotavirus vaccine (RV1, strain RIX4414, Rotarix®)
    • Oral suspension, 1.5 ml in monodose plastic tube.
      DO NOT ADMINISTER BY PARENTERAL ROUTE.

    Dosage and vaccination schedule

    • Child from 6 weeks to 24 months: 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart. It is recommended to administer the 1st dose at 6 weeks of age and the 2nd dose at 10 weeks of age, at the same time as the first 2 doses of pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae).
    • Shake the plastic tube, squeeze the entire content of the tube into the mouth.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer in case of acute gastroenteritis, history of intussusception, severe immunodeficiency.
    • Do not administer in the event of allergic reactions to a previous dose of vaccine.
    • Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness; minor infections are not contra-indications.
    • May cause: diarrhoea,abdominal pain, irritability; rarely: intussusception, anaphylactic reactions.
    • If the patient vomits the dose of vaccine, wait a few minutes and re-administer the same dose.

    Remarks

    • Also comes in a monovalent human vaccine (RV1, strain 116E, Rotavac®) and pentavalent human-bovine vaccine (RV5), to be administered in 3 doses 4 week apart. 
    • Rotavirus vaccine can be administered concomitantly with oral polio vaccine (OPV).

    Storage

     
    –  Between 2 °C and 8 °C. Do not freeze.