Rotasure oral vaccine:Live Rotavirus vaccine
Rotasure oral vaccine (Live Attenuated, Oral) is a monovalent vaccine containing suspension of live attenuated Rotavirus 116E NLT 105.0 FFU + Potassium phosphate monobasic + Potassium phosphate dibasic + Sucrose + Potassium L-glutamate monohydrate + Neomycin sulphate + Kanamycin sulphate + Dulbecco’s Modi ed Eagle’s Medium + water
How is Rotasure oral vaccine available?
Rotasure oral vaccineis available as ready to use liquid form. It looks translucent pink liquid which is slightly cloudy. It comes in plastic bottle which can be easily opened and a cork which can be sqeezed attached to it. It comes in 0.5 pack single dose.
How is Rotasure oral vaccine stored?
Rotasure oral vaccine is tored at 2-8 degree Celsius. The temperature range should be maintained at all stages of transport and storage. If frozen should be discarded.
How is Rotasure oral vaccine given?
Rotasure oral vaccine is given orally after opening the bottle by moving the aluminium seal. The vaccine should be shaken before opening. The dose is 0.5 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 Rotasure oral vaccine is given?
Rotasure oral vaccine 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 Rotasure oral vaccine 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 Rotasure oral vaccine be given with other vaccines?
Yes Rotasure oral 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 Rotasure oral vaccine?
Yes, it is ok to give feeding including breast feeding after the Rotasure oral vaccine. It won’t decrease the efficacy of the vaccine neither it will be harmful to the baby.
What are side effects of Rotasure oral vaccine?
Side effects of Rotasure oral 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.