Keep your child safe from Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the leading cause of diarrhoea in the world, among children under five years. In Sri Lanka, most of the infections occur in children less than two years. Fortunately, the death rate in Sri Lanka due to this infection is low.
The virus is usually transmitted from person-to-person by contamination of food or water or by stools of infected children. A small number of viral particles is sufficient to cause infection. The virus can survive in the environment for days and in the stools for months.
The illness is of sudden onset and lasts three – seven days. Symptoms include fever, vomiting ,watery diarrhoea and loss of appetite. The illness can range from mild to severe. Severe dehydration can occur due to profuse watery diarrhoea, especially in young children.
Types of vaccine
There are 2 types of vaccine. Only the live attenuated human rotavirus vaccine is available in Sri Lanka.
How is the vaccine given ?
The vaccine is given orally—two doses at least four weeks apart.
At what age is the vaccine given?
The minimum age is six weeks and the minimum interval between the two doses should be four weeks. The vaccine is usually given in Sri Lanka at two and four months of age and it is not recommended for children over six months of age.
Can this vaccine be given with other vaccines at the same time?
Yes. Rotavirus vaccine can be given safely with other childhood vaccines such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, hepatitis B and injectable and oral polio vaccines.
How effective is the vaccine ?
According to statistics from the US, the vaccine will prevent about 73% of all rotavirus infections, about 93% of severe cases and about 96% of hospital admissions due to rotavirus infections.
What are the adverse effects of the vaccine ?
Diarrhoea, vomiting, middle ear infection and throat infection have occurred in a very small percentage of children who received the vaccine.
Very rarely intussusception (telescoping of one part of the bowel into the other) has been reported after vaccination. However, the World Health Organization recommends the vaccine as the benefit far outweighs the risk.
Who should not receive the vaccine ?
- Any child who has had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of the vaccine.
- Any child who has had severe allergy to latex.
- Immunocompromised infants and children.
As the data available is insufficient, the vaccine is not recommended for them.The vaccine should be postponed if the child has fever or diarrhoea and vomiting.
(The writer is a Consultant Paediatrician and Vice President of the Vaccine Forum of Sri Lanka)
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