Rotavirus Immunisation

Key points to remember about rotavirus immunisation

babies have the rotavirus vaccine as part of their free 6 week and 3 month immunisations
rotavirus is a common tummy bug that children catch easily
rotavirus causes vomiting and diarrhoea (runny, watery poo/tūtae) which can lead to dehydration
immunisation protects against rotavirus - it prevents over 80 percent cases of severe rotavirus diarrhoea
if you miss these dates, you can catch up, but your baby needs the first vaccine before 15 weeks of age - this is so your baby has both doses before they are 25 weeks of age
your baby can't have the rotavirus vaccine after 25 weeks because the risk of serious reactions increases after this age
your baby will have the rotavirus vaccine by mouth (orally) - it's squirted into your baby's mouth
it's important to wash and dry hands carefully after changing nappies and before touching food to stop the spread of the virus
there is a small risk of intussusception [1] from receiving rotavirus immunisation, usually in the first week after immunisation
the overall benefits of immunisation far outweigh the very small risk of intussusception

External links and downloads (see the online version for more information at other websites)

Immunisation against rotavirus - protect your child [2]

I [3]nformation about rotavirus disease for parents of babies and young children. It tells you what to do and how to stop the disease spreading if your child has rotavirus. It also explains how immunisation can protect your baby from rotavirus. Immunisation is FREE.

Rotavirus - information from the Ministry of Health [4]

90 percent of New Zealand children will develop rotavirus gastroenteritis by the age of 3 years. Information about symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Rotavirus - more information from the Immunisation Advisory Centre [5]

Information including a brief history, the New Zealand situation, symptoms, how you catch it, the risks, who is most at risk, treating the symptoms and preventing the disease from spreading.

Information on rotavirus vaccination (Rotarix) [6]

Information for consumers about the vaccine (Rotarix) from the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority.

This page last reviewed 28 May 2018.
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