Rotavirus
Vaccine
Two live, attenuated, oral rotavirus vaccines are internationally licensed and routine childhood vaccination has been initiated in a number of countries. The clinical efficacy of the rotavirus vaccines has been demonstrated in most parts of the world. WHO recommends the inclusion of rotavirus vaccination in all national immunization programmes, particularly in countries or areas at high risk of severe disease and fatal outcomes. The first dose of either RotaTeqTM or RotarixTM should be administered at 6–15 weeks of age, with an interval between doses of at least 4 weeks. The Rotarix™ vaccine is administered orally in a two-dose schedule while RotaTeq™ is administered orally in a three-dose schedule. With both vaccines, all doses should be administered before the age of 32 weeks. Vaccination is not currently recommended for travellers or older children outside the routine childhood immunization schedule.