Rotasiil liquid vaccine
Rotasiil liquid vaccine is liquid bovine human reassortant rotavirus pentavalent vaccine. It is produced by Serum Institute of India. Rotavirus is main cause of diarrhea in infants and children below 5 years of age. This vaccine helps to prevent the diarrhea caused by rotavirus in children.
It contains Five strains of rotaviruses they are human and bovine reassortant strains. This vaccine contains rotavirus strains of types G1, G2,G3, G4 and G9. All these strains constitute VP7 gene of respective serotype from human strains reasserted with bovine rotavirus. Each strain is propagated on VERO cells individually and all five strains are mixed before filling.
| Live attenuated Bovine-Human Rotavirus Reassortant (G1, G2, G3, G4, G9) serotypes grown on VERO cells |
| Ctric acid anhydrous. |
| Potassium Phosphate Diabasic Anhydrous |
| Sucrose |
| Hydrolysed gelatine |
| Zinc chloride |
| Calsium chloride Dihydrate |
| Sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate |
| Eagle’s minimum essential medium with Hank’s Salts |
How is Rotasiil-liquid vaccine available?
Rotasiil liquid is available as ready to use liquid form. It looks translucent yellowish liquid which is slightly cloudy. It comes in plastic bottle which can be easily opened and can be squeezed. It comes in 2 ml pack single dose.
How is Rotasiil liquid vaccine stored?
Recommended range to store this vaccine by manufacturer is at 2-8 degree Celsius. The temperature range should be maintained at all stages of the transport and storage. It should be kept in paper box whoch comes with the vaccine. It should not be frozen. If stored as per instructions provided on leaflet with vaccine the shelf life is 2 years. The expired vaccine should not be used.
How is Rotasiil liquid vaccine given?
Rotasiil liquid vaccine is given orally after opening the bottle by moving the plastic cork. The vaccine should be shaken before opening. The dose is 2 ml. It should be given in mouth of the baby and the bottle is squeezed to pour the liquid in the baby’s mouth. Baby should be comfortable preferably on parents lap show that baby does not spit the medicine and it drinks majority of the dose. After giving the vaccine the disposables are discarded as per bio medical waste management protocol. If baby spits majority of dose one ore single dose can be given in same sitting.
At what age Rotasiil liquid vaccine is given?
Rotasiil liquid vaccine is given as three doses. The first dose is given at 6 weeks of age followed by other doses at 10 weeks and 14 weeks. The time duration between 2 Rotasiil liquid doses should be at least 4 weeks. According to WHO the Rotavirus vaccination should be completed before 1 year of age. This vaccine is not indicated for those above 2 years of age as rotavirus diarrhea causes maximum incidences and mortality under 2 years of age.
Can Rotasiil liquid vaccine be given with other vaccines?
Yes this vaccine can be safely given with BCG vaccine, DPT, Hepatitis B, HiB, IPV and pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccine is safe and maintains efficacy even if given with oral polio vaccine. There no restriction to feeding including breast feeding after giving this vaccine.
Can baby take breast feed after taking Rotasiil liquid vaccine?
Yes, it is ok to give feeding including breast feeding after the Rotasiil liquid vaccine. It wont decrease the efficacy of the vaccine neither it will be harmful to the baby.
What are side effects of Rotasiil liquid vaccine?
Side effects of Rotasiil liquid vaccine are usually milder when compared to the disease caused by the rotavirus. Benefits outweigh the harm that’s why it is used.
- Fever can be moderate grade and usually subsides by its own. Usually fever can be managed at home with the help of oral medication like paracetamol.
- Irritability can be seen after the vaccination. Usually this side effect is self limiting and decreases by its own after some hours.
- Decreased appetite can be observed after the vaccination. This side effect also subsides with its own.
- Vomiting is known to occur in some patients after the vaccination. It can be managed at home with increasing feeding frequency to maintain hydration status and also some patients may need antiemetic drops like domstal or ondansetron.
- Diarrhea is known side effect of the vaccine and is usually self limiting. It can be managed at home by increasing the frequency of the feeding.
All these side effects are also associated with DPT-HiB-IPV-Hepatitis B (Infanrix hexa, EasySix, Pentavac, Hexaxim) which is usually given together this vaccine.