Why should children receive 2 doses of the rota vaccine
Why should children receive 2 doses of the rota vaccine before 6 months of age?
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- Tiếng Việt
The timing of Rota vaccination plays a critical role in protecting infants from acute diarrhoea. Giving a child full two doses of the Rota vaccine, starting at two months and completing them before six months old, ensures comprehensive protection against rotavirus-related diarrhoea during the early months of life.
In the first six months, an infant’s immune system is still weak and their natural resistance to infection remains underdeveloped. At this stage, children lack sufficient antibodies to fight off various pathogens, including rotavirus - the leading cause of acute diarrhoea in young children. If infected during this period, a child faces an increased risk of severe diarrhoea, rapid dehydration, and potentially life-threatening complications such as seizures, brain damage, or even death if not treated promptly.
Moreover, Rota vaccination is not recommended for children older than six months due to an increased risk of intussusception. Intussusception is an acute intestinal obstruction that must be detected early and treated in a hospital, as surgery may be required. If not treated promptly, it can lead to bowel blockage, tissue death, or severe infection.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health strongly recommends that all children receive the full two-dose schedule of the same Rota vaccine (from the same manufacturer) before six months of age. This enables the child’s body to develop effective antibodies to protect against rotavirus infection while minimising the risk of adverse side effects.
The first dose should be administered when the child turns two months old. If the child misses this schedule, vaccination should be deployed as soon as possible to ensure both doses are completed before six months of age, maximising the vaccine's preventive effectiveness.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take their children to the nearest healthcare facility for free Rota vaccination under the National Expanded Immunisation Program.
Do not let your child be the one left unprotected.
