Rotavirus vaccine

Currently, there is no specific treatment for acute diarrhoea caused by rotavirus. Therefore, proactive prevention through oral rotavirus vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children’s health and ensure their healthy growth from the earliest stages of life.

Acute diarrhoea due to rotavirus is a common illness among infants and young children. The virus is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route but can also spread through respiratory droplets, often from infected children to other children - and occasionally to adults. Infected children can transmit the virus both before and after symptoms appear.

If not treated promptly, the disease can become severe, with the most dangerous complication being dehydration. This can lead to seizures, brain damage, multi-organ failure, prolonged malnutrition, and even death.

At present, there is no antiviral medication specifically targeting rotavirus. Treatment primarily involves rehydration, continued breastfeeding, and keeping a close watch on children to support their recovery. While proper hygiene and caregiving are essential, young children remain at high risk due to their curiosity and tendency to touch various objects. For this reason, vaccination is considered the most effective and targeted method to protect children from rotavirus-induced acute diarrhoea.

The rotavirus vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning the virus has been weakened so it cannot cause illness but can still stimulate the immune system to develop protection. Administered orally, the vaccine has shown high efficacy in preventing rotavirus infection in children.

The effectiveness of the rotavirus vaccine in providing active immunity has been demonstrated in numerous studies. It has been shown to prevent 85% to 98% of severe rotavirus-related diarrhoea cases, and 74% to 87% of all rotavirus diarrhoea cases during the first year post-vaccination. It reduces hospitalisations due to the disease by 96%, significantly easing the emotional and financial burden on families - especially in underprivileged areas.

Since 2024, the Ministry of Health has officially included the rotavirus vaccine in the National Expanded Immunisation Program, offering it free of charge to ensure equal access for all children. During 2024 - 2025, the program has been implemented in 32 and then 41 provinces. By 2026, the vaccine is expected to be rolled out nationwide.

Initial results since the 2024 launch have been promising. Dr. Phi Van Kien (Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health) noted: “Vaccination rates have been very high, reflecting strong parental support and active involvement of healthcare workers at all levels. In many provinces where the program has been implemented, rotavirus infection rates have shown a marked decline - highlighting the early success of integration of the vaccine into the national program”.

Proactive prevention is the best way to protect children from the very beginning of life. Parents and caregivers are therefore strongly encouraged to take their children to local health facilities for rotavirus vaccination once the child turns two months old, and to ensure completion before six months of age, to shield them from the risks of rotavirus-induced acute diarrhoea and to support their healthy and comprehensive development.