Rotavirus vaccine, live
Generic name: rotavirus vaccine, live (oral) [ ROE-ta-vye-ris-VAX-een ]
Brand names: Rotarix, RotaTeq, RotaShield
Dosage forms: oral powder for reconstitution (monovalent); oral suspension (pentavalent)
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is rotavirus oral vaccine?
The rotavirus oral vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in children.
This vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
The RotaTeq brand of rotavirus oral vaccine is for use in children between the ages of 6 weeks and 32 weeks old.
The Rotarix brand of rotavirus oral vaccine is for use in children between the ages of 6 weeks and 24 weeks old.
Like any vaccine, the rotavirus oral vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID). This vaccine should not be given if the child has a history of an intestinal problem called intussusception.
Before taking this medicine
Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a rotavirus oral vaccine, if the child has ever had intussusception (a blockage of the intestines), or if the child has severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID).
If your child has any of these other conditions, this vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:
HIV or AIDS;
a current stomach illness or diarrhea;
a congenital stomach disorder or recent stomach surgery;
cancer, lymphoma, leukemia or other blood disease;
if the child has recently received drugs that weaken the immune system (such as steroids, medicines to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, chemotherapy or radiation);
if the child has recently received a blood transfusion; or
if the child is allergic to latex rubber.
Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.
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