Rotavirus Immunisation

Key points 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 from receiving rotavirus immunisation, usually in the first week after immunisation
• the overall benefits of immunisation far outweigh the very small risk of intussusception

Check some information about intussusception

See more KidsHealth content on immunisation

Check out KidsHealth's section on immunisation