Rotavirus vaccine: Safety and protective efficacy in preventing acute diarrhoea
The following information shall help parents and caregivers gain a better understanding of the Rotavirus vaccine which prevents acute diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus.
- English
- Tiếng Việt
When considering vaccinations for children, parents and caregivers often concern about the efficacy and safety of the vaccines. The following information shall help parents and caregivers gain a better understanding of the Rotavirus vaccine which prevents acute diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus.
1. Why is the Rotavirus vaccine necessary?
Administering Rotavirus vaccine is the most effective way to prevent acute diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus.
- The Rotavirus is a common cause of acute diarrhoea in infants and young children. The illness can become severe, leading to dehydration and significantly impacting a child’s health.
- Each year in Vietnam, hundreds of thousands of young children seek medical care or are hospitalised due to the Rotavirus, with thousands requiring emergency treatment and some cases resulting in fatalities.
- Since the global introduction of the Rotavirus vaccine, hospitalisation and emergency visits due to the Rotavirus have significantly decreased.
2. Overview of the Rotavirus vaccine
The Rotavirus vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine, containing a weakened form of the Rotavirus that cannot cause illness but prompts the body’s immune system to make disease-fighting antibodies. Importantly, the Rotavirus vaccine is an ORAL vaccine. It MUST NOT be injected.
The national Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) in Vietnam provides two types of Rotavirus vaccines:
- Rotavin: Manufactured domestically by the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (Polyvac), it is a clear, yellow liquid taken orally.
- Rotarix: Produced by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A., it is a colorless, clear liquid administered orally.
Both vaccines have been approved by the Ministry of Health for use in Viet Nam.
3. How effective is the Rotavirus vaccine?
The protective efficacy of the Rotavirus vaccine has been confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Studies have demonstrated that the vaccine is 85%-98% effective in preventing severe diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus and 74%-87% effective in preventing diarrhoea of any severity within the first year after administration.
- The vaccine reduces hospitalisation for acute diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus by 96%.
4. How safe is the Rotavirus vaccine?
The Rotavirus vaccine has been widely administered in over 100 countries. In Vietnam, millions of doses had been safely used annually in private immunisation programs before Rotavirus vaccine was included in the EPI.
5. Is the Rotavirus vaccine available free of charge?
The Rotavirus vaccine is now available free of charge under the national Expanded Program on Immunisation. Parents and caregivers can take their children to local health centers to get vaccinated.
