ROTA Vaccine guide What is ROTAVirus? Rotavirus is a infection which leads to diarrhea in infants and young children. The diarrhea caused by Rotavirus can get complicated and severe leading to extreme dehydration in infants. More common symptoms of Rotavirus amongst babies are vomiting and fever. Before the Rotavirus vaccine, this has been a pain area for the medicine field for long. Reasons of Diarrhea and prevention with Rota vaccine: What the reasons are for loose motion? This can be caused with the germs e.g. bacteria virus, allergies with the eatables and negative reaction of medications. 40% of the suspected diarrhea cases reported have been originated from Rotavirus. Symptoms of Diarrhea caused because of Rotavirus. 1. Fever 2. Vomiting 3. Loose motion 4. Stomach ache If the necessary is not being done in time, such severe dehydration may be fatal. Assessment of diarrhea- Rotavirus Rotavirus assessment is only possible through laboratory tests ELISA or PCR which are not referred in normal conditions. Patients are recommended to increase their water intake along with ORS + Zinc and other medication.
How Rotavirus Diarrhea does spread? A lot of rotavirus is shed in the stool of infected individuals and the infection can be effectively spread by means of tainted hands and substances, for example, toys and clothes. Kids can spread rotavirus both before and after they become sick because of this virus. After toilet, if a child does not wash hands and start playing /eating, the antibodies enter from mouth and make their way to the digestive system. Similarly if the mother is not careful enough while changing diapers, and starts performing daily activities with the unwashed hands, anything she will touch with those hands will be highly likely to carry virus.
Seasonality for Rotavirus Rotavirus can spread in any season however, In winters the probability of infants getting cold and sick is generally high which adds in the factors of virus spreading speedily than in other seasons. Loose motion and diarrhea prevention 1. A newborn shall only be fed breast milk until 6 months old. 2. Hands should be washed thoroughly with medicated soap before feeding or handling a child. 3. Drinking water shall be boiled and free of germs. 4. Rota Vaccine dosage should be injected to a child as per the schedule. 5. Vitamin-A drops are mandatory for children in order to strengthen the immune system. 6. In case of loose motion or diarrhea, a. Increase water intake b. Use ORS Low osmolality and Zinc What is Rota Vaccine? Rotavirus vaccine is a vaccine which is being used worldwide to protect infants and toddlers against rotavirus infections. What kind of Rotavirus Vaccine EPI provides? EPI provides Rotavirus vaccine in oral form called Rotarix with a VVM label. Rotarix is available in single tube dosages where each dosage contains 1.5mg vaccine. Rotavirus vaccine Dosage This Vaccine shots are given to the infants twice between the age of 6-10 weeks. Time difference between first and second dosage shall be at least 4 weeks. Rotavirus vaccine schedule Age of child Newborn 6 weeks old Name of vaccination BCG OPV-0 Hepatitis-B OPV-1 Rota Vaccine-1
10 weeks old 14 weeks old After 9 months After 15 months Between 4-5 years Penta -1 PCV-10-1 OPV-2 Rota Vaccine-2 Penta -2 PCV-10-2 OPV-3 Penta-3 PCV-10-3 IPV Measles-1 Measles-2 DPT Booster How effective is Rota Vaccine? After having two doses of Rota Vaccine, the probability of being attacked by this virus is reduced from 10-0% How to give Rota vaccine and it s expertise Steps to give Rota vaccine shot: 1. Wash your hands thoroughly 2. Make sure the shot is original by confirming the VVM tag on the tube. 3. Take off the tube cap, switch it upside down and make a hole in the tube with the help of pin in the cap.
4. Carry the child in a way that it makes 45 degrees angle a. Child s head has to be higher than the body b. Head should be resting near left elbow of vaccinator. c. Body should be resting in vaccinator s lap 5. Make a V shape of child s mouth using thumb and index finger. 6. Pour the vaccine in child s mouth in a way that the content falls on the inside of his cheeks.
7. Tube s direction shall be facing towards the cheeks in a way that thy vaccine slides through the cheek and not falls directly into the throat. 8. Press tube slowly and pour the whole content until the child has swallowed the whole vaccine. 9. Make sure the child is taking the vaccine in by tapping the cheeks gently from the outside. Adverse Effects Following Immunization AEFI are the negative effects of vaccination which might show after a shot. They can be of following different types: Adverse reaction of vaccination or Faulty vaccination program etc but the AEFI relevant to Rota vaccine is Intussusception
Incase of any AEFI event, parents shall be informed immediately. All the necessary relevant information shall be documented regarding the event and information should be passed on to the community members. Guide for parents regarding Rotavirus. Why is parental awareness necessary regarding Rota vaccine? Usually parents get the child vaccinated as per the doctor s or vaccinator s instructions but there are very few concerned parents who actually are interested to know about the virus and its vaccine. Hence, this awareness is right of all the concerned parents. This awareness leads to more satisfied parents and attracts more parents to take their child for vaccination. Rota vaccine is an addition to the vaccination shots a newborn gets and it is important to create awareness about it. Vaccinator can play a vital role in Rota vaccine awareness; he can explain the important details and possible reactions child vaccinating the child. This is the time when parents are most concerned about the nitty gritty of a child s health and the vaccines. It is important to guide the parents about the possible outcomes and mild sickness after the shot as not everyone is fully aware of the reactions. This practice tends to increase trust in the vaccinator and makes the
parents more comfortable that they are more willing to bring the child back for the complete vaccination course. Anyone who brings the child along for vaccination shall be given all necessary information, suggestions and details about next vaccinations. They should be informed about what shots have been given to the child already and what are the pros and possible cons of the shot. They shall be informed about the possible outcomes i.e. allergies or mild fever. Date and time of next vaccination shall be agreed upon. Rota Vaccine FAQs 1. What is the maximum age limit for Rota vaccine first dosage? Maximum age limit for Rota vaccine first dosage is 23 months. Rota vaccine is not recommended after 24 months. 2. Can Rota Vaccine be given with other vaccines? Yes, Rota vaccine can be prescribed along with other recommended vaccines for 6-10 weeks e.g. polio and Penta etc. 3. What should be the sequence for 6-10 weeks old infant vaccines? a. Polio and Rota vaccine b. Other vaccine injections If a child gets the first Rota vaccine shot in first 4 weeks, it is recommended to get the second shot before he turns 14 weeks old. 4. Is Rota vaccine recommended with chicken pox vaccine? Yes, Rota vaccine is recommended with chicken pox vaccine. However as per the approved EPI schedule, it is recommended to be given between weeks 6-10. It is recommended to complete both doses of Rota vaccines till week 14.
5. When to avoid the Rota Vaccine? a. If a child shows the symptoms of allergy i.e. swollen tongue, spots on skin or difficulty in breathing. b. Such children who face the intussusceptions (shrinking of intestines) after first dose. c. A child already suffering from diarrhea and a doctor recommends avoiding the vaccine shot. They shall be vaccine after they are treated for diarrhea. d. Children with extremely low immunity specifically the ones on cancer medication. 6. Is Rota Vaccine safe? Yes, Rota vaccine is an extremely safe shot however loss of appetite and restlessness is common among kids after their shot. General Instructions: a. Take all the necessary hygienic measures while vaccinating, either wash hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer. b. While going out on field, take the vaccination tubes as per the target only. c. Cold chain shall be taken care of d. Always vaccinate away from sun and in shadow. e. Only 2 Rota vaccine doses are mandatory, booster shot is not necessary after that. f. Rota vaccine is recommended to be kept between 2-8 degree centigrade. It can be spoiled if the temperature is too warm or cold. g. Second shot has to be different than the first shot. h. If a child throws up after first shot, it is not necessary to give him the same vaccine again. i. In EPI program, the kids shall be given Penta-1, those who have already taken their first dose shall not be treated as these kids are not included in the coverage target. Important information a. Loose motion and diarrhea are the most common fatal diseases among newborns, other than various reasons, rotavirus is also one of the reason leading to such conditions b. In time vaccination of rotavirus can save a child from adverse effects of loose motion and diarrhea. c. Rota Vaccine is very safe for children to consume. d. Always keep the vaccination schedule card handy. e. After changing diapers, always wash hands thoroughly before touching anything around the child.