What is the rotavirus vaccine?
Two vaccines are available in Germany for the rotavirus vaccination. In both cases it is a so-called oral vaccination. This means that the rotavirus vaccine is administered to the baby or infant by mouth (orally) and not by injection.
The rotavirus vaccination is a so-called live vaccination: the vaccine contains infectious but attenuated rotaviruses. These do not lead to illness in the vaccinated child. However, the child excretes infectious viruses in the stool and fecal-oral infection of unprotected people is possible.
The vaccination stimulates the body’s immune system to produce specific antibodies against the intruder. If an infection with “real” rotaviruses occurs later, the body fights them more quickly and effectively. The outbreak of the disease can often be prevented or mitigated as a result.
Rotavirus vaccination: costs
Since 2013, the STIKO (Standing Committee on Vaccination at the Robert Koch Institute) has recommended the rotavirus vaccination for infants. Accordingly, all statutory health insurance companies are obliged to fully cover the costs of the rotavirus vaccination for this age group.
Privately insured persons are best advised to contact their health insurance provider to find out whether the costs will be covered.
Rotavirus vaccination: Who should be vaccinated?
Rotavirus vaccination for adults?
A rotavirus vaccination for adults is not available. This vaccination is not so important for adults, as rotavirus infections usually have a much milder course.
In addition, adults develop a certain amount of antibodies against rotaviruses over the course of their lives. Antibodies are formed again with each new infection. Adults are therefore better protected against infection than unvaccinated children and infants, even without rotavirus vaccination in childhood.
Rotavirus vaccination: what are the side effects?
With rotavirus vaccination, as with any other vaccination, there is a possibility of adverse effects occurring. The most common side effects after rotavirus vaccination are diarrhea, vomiting and fever. These reactions are caused directly by contact with the attenuated rotaviruses.
In contrast to the symptoms of a genuine rotavirus infection, however, the side effects are only mild and disappear after a few days. In some cases, abdominal pain or flatulence may also occur.
The older children are when they are vaccinated against rotavirus, the higher the risk of side effects. It is therefore advisable to complete the rotavirus vaccination by the recommended dates.
Special recommendations apply to immature premature babies. Rotavirus vaccination is particularly important for them, as they are very susceptible to infection. On the other hand, they also react much more sensitively to the vaccine. In some cases, there have been brief pauses in breathing.
Premature babies should therefore always be vaccinated in hospital and remain there for some time after vaccination for monitoring.
If your child develops symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloody stools or vomiting in the first week after vaccination, take him or her to a pediatrician immediately. He or she will examine your child to rule out an intestinal invagination.
How often should the rotavirus vaccination be given?
Infants can be vaccinated from the sixth week of life. There are also different recommendations for the start of vaccination depending on the vaccine. Depending on the rotavirus vaccine used, two or three doses are administered.
- Rotavirus vaccination with the two-dose schedule should be completed by the 16th week of life, but no later than the 24th week of life.
- Rotavirus vaccination with the three-dose schedule should be completed by 22 weeks of age, but no later than 32 weeks of age.
Infants and babies may cough up or vomit the oral vaccine after administration. If this only affects a small amount, there is no need for a new vaccination. However, if the baby has spit out most of the vaccine, a new vaccination is possible.
It is advisable not to breastfeed shortly before and shortly after the rotavirus vaccination. Doctors suspect that certain components of breast milk reduce the effectiveness of the vaccination and so there is a risk of rotavirus disease despite vaccination.
Rotavirus vaccination: yes or no?
In general, rotavirus vaccination is recommended for every child from the sixth week of life. Doctors believe that the vaccination can prevent almost 80 percent of all gastrointestinal infections in children – at least for two to three seasons.
However, the rotavirus vaccine does not prevent diarrhea caused by other viruses or bacteria.
There are some situations in which the rotavirus vaccination should not be given. This is the case in the event of proven immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity or intolerance to a substance contained in the vaccine, intestinal invaginations and acute illness (such as fever or diarrhea).
