Routine Vaccine Recommendations

• Rotavirus Vaccine Information Sheet: Rotavirus VIS

CDC recommends that infants receive rotavirus vaccine to protect against rotavirus disease. Two types of rotavirus vaccine are currently licensed for use in infants in the United States:

• RotaTeq® (RV5) is given in three doses, one dose at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age.
• Rotarix® (RV1) is given in two doses, one dose at 2 months and 4 months of age.

This first dose of either vaccine should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age. Also, children should receive all doses of rotavirus vaccine before they turn 8 months old.

Both vaccines are given orally, by putting drops in the infant’s mouth.

Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccines to Infants, Immunization Action Coalition

Contraindications and Precautions for Rotavirus Vaccination

A baby who has had a severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction to a dose of rotavirus vaccine should not get another dose. A baby who has a severe (life threatening) allergy to any component of rotavirus vaccine should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if your baby has any severe allergies that you know of, including a severe allergy to latex.

Babies with "severe combined immunodeficiency" (SCID) should not get rotavirus vaccine.

Babies who have had a type of bowel blockage called intussusception should not get rotavirus vaccine.

Babies who are mildly ill can get the vaccine. Babies who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover. This includes babies with moderate or severe diarrhea or vomiting.

Check with your doctor before vaccinating if your baby’s immune system is weakened because of:

• HIV/AIDS, or any other disease that affects the immune system
• Treatment with drugs such as steroids
• Cancer, or cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs

This information is from the Rotavirus Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) dated 04/15/2015.

Conditions commonly misperceived as contraindications for rotavirus vaccine include:

• Prematurity
• Household members who are immunosuppressed
• Household members who are pregnant

To learn more about vaccine contraindications and precautions, visit: Conditions Commonly Misperceived as Contraindications to Vaccination.

Contraindications and Precautions Resources

• Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines
• General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization (ACIP)
• General Recommendations on Immunizations, The Pink Book: Course Textbook (13th Edition 2015)
• Rotavirus ACIP Vaccine Recommendations
• Questions & Answers about Intussusception and Rotavirus Vaccine

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