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Rotavirus vaccine

Vaccine price

140€*

* The price shown does not include the administrative costs of the medical facility

What is rotavirus?

An infectious disease caused by ROTAVIRUS, which is the most common pathogen responsible for viral gastroenteritis among infants and children under 5 years of age. It presents with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and watery diarrhea that last an average of 3-7 days. Transmission occurs mainly by the fecal-oral route, and in minor cases by contact and respiratory routes. Over the course of a lifetime, rotavirus reinfections are very common, in which the severity of the disease is reduced with repeated infections. Very young children are the main individuals in whom the virus can cause severe diarrhea with dehydration. Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of illness and death in children in this age group, particularly those in low-income countries. Rotavirus gastroenteritis occurs worldwide; in Italy it has seasonal peaks of incidence in the winter period.

The importance of prevention

To prevent the spread of the disease, it is necessary to maintain good hygienic conditions, both in the home and in communities. In fact, common hygiene rules, such as washing hands well with soap and water, reduce the transmission of the infection. The most effective prevention in protecting the child from the most severe forms of the disease is vaccination. Currently available vaccines have demonstrated an overall efficacy of more than 80 percent and a reduction in severe forms, that is, those requiring hospitalization, of more than 95 percent of vaccinated individuals.

The vaccine

Trade name:

Rotateq / Rotarix

The rotavirus vaccine is administered orally; it is recommended for all infants from 6 weeks of age. The vaccine cycle consists of 2 or 3 doses (depending on the vaccine used) and can be given at the same time as the other vaccines scheduled in the first months of life (hexavalent, pneumococcal conjugate, and meningococcal B). The minimum interval between doses is 4 weeks; the vaccine cycle should be completed no later than 24 or 32 weeks of age depending on the vaccine used.

The vaccine is a live attenuated type, administered as an oral solution. Two different rotavirus vaccines are currently available.

Oral solution.

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Following vaccination, children may show irritability, loss of appetite, and mild, transient episodes of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. The new vaccines have a reduced risk of developing intestinal invagination compared to the old vaccines, which are no longer used. Despite this, an increased risk of developing such a condition is possible following administration of the drug within seven days of taking it. Contraindications to administration of this vaccine are:

  • Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the excipients;
  • Hypersensitivity following previous administration of rotavirus vaccines;
  • Previous history of intestinal invagination;
  • Subjects with a congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract that could predispose to intestinal invagination;
  • Immunocompromised infants.
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The information presented is general in nature, is published for general audiences, and is not a substitute for the relationship between patient and physician.