The rotavirus vaccine can protect children from diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection. This disease can be dangerous because of the high risk of causing the child to become dehydrated. Therefore, give your little one the rotavirus vaccine on schedule, so that he/she avoids severe diarrhea.
Rotavirus is a virus that attacks the digestive tract and can cause gastroenteritis. Rotavirus can be transmitted through physical contact with feces containing rotavirus or through unhygienic processed food and drink.
This virus often attacks infants and children and causes diarrhea in children. If not treated properly, diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection can lead to dangerously severe dehydration.
To prevent your little one from getting diarrhea due to rotavirus infection, you need to always maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the food and drinks your little one consumes, get him used to washing his hands, and complete his immunizations, including giving the rotavirus vaccine.
The rotavirus vaccine is one of the types of vaccines recommended by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) to be given to infants under 6 months of age. The rotavirus vaccine is given by mouth (oral), not by injection.
Rotavirus Vaccine Administration Schedule
There are two types of rotavirus vaccine:
Monovalent rotavirus vaccine
The monovalent rotavirus vaccine is given twice. The first dose is given when the child is 6–14 weeks old and the second dose is given at least 4 weeks later. However, a second dose can also be given when the child is 16 weeks old or at the latest when he is 24 weeks old.
pentavalent rotavirus vaccine
Unlike the monovalent rotavirus vaccine, the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine is given three times.
The first dose is given when the child is 2 months old or about 6-10 weeks, while the second and third doses are given 4-10 weeks apart after the previous vaccine. The deadline for giving the third dose of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine is when the child reaches 32 weeks of age.
The following is an illustration of the rotavirus vaccine schedule according to the table released by IDAI:
Vaccine | Dose I | Dose II | Dose III |
| Monovalent rotavirus | 8 weeks (2 months) | 16 weeks (4 months) | - |
| pentavalent rotavirus | 8 weeks (2 months) | 16 weeks (4 months) | 24 weeks |
Both types of rotavirus vaccine are equally good and effective in providing protection against rotavirus in children. Usually, the decision to give monovalent or pentavalent rotavirus vaccine depends on the price of vaccine availability at the health facility where immunization is carried out.
Things to Pay Attention to Before Doing a Rotavirus Vaccine
If your little one has not received the first dose of rotavirus vaccine by the time he is 15 weeks old, talk to his doctor about whether he can still receive this vaccine.
The rotavirus vaccine is not recommended to be given to infants older than 8 months, because there is no evidence showing the effectiveness of this vaccine at that age.
Not only that, there are several other conditions that prevent children from receiving the rotavirus vaccine, namely:
- Less than 6 weeks old, or 8 months old or older.
- Are sick or have a fever.
- Have an allergy to the rotavirus vaccine that has been given previously.
- Suffering from intussusception or intestinal disorders that make part of the intestine folded and blocked.
- Suffer severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which is a hereditary disease that can affect the body's ability to fight infection.
- Suffering from immune system disorders and digestive diseases.
- Babies with spina bifida and bladder exstrophy, which is a birth defect that causes abnormalities in the bladder.
In children with mild immune system disorders, rotavirus vaccine can still be given. However, consult your pediatrician first.
Possible Side Effects of Rotavirus Vaccine
The rotavirus vaccine rarely causes side effects. However, a small percentage of infants given the rotavirus vaccine may experience allergic reactions and side effects such as vomiting, nausea, fussiness, and diarrhea. However, these side effects usually only last for a few days and will go away on their own.
Although very rare, rotavirus vaccine can cause severe allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, pale face, fast heartbeat, and even bloody stools. If your child experiences these side effects after getting the rotavirus vaccine, take him to the doctor immediately.
Considering the benefits and risks, giving rotavirus vaccine is still recommended because it has been proven to prevent children from diarrhea due to rotavirus infection. Therefore, don't forget to take your little one to a doctor or health facility to get the rotavirus vaccine, bro.