Administering the Rotavirus Vaccine

Both rotavirus vaccines are administered orally, by putting drops in the infant’s mouth. Each requires multiple doses:

• RotaTeq^® (RV5) is given in three doses at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age.
• Rotarix^® (RV1) is given in two doses at 2 months and 4 months of age.

Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccines to Infants, Immunization Action Coalition

More administration information can be found at: http://www.immunize.org/askexperts/experts_rota.asp

Administration with Other Vaccines

Rotavirus vaccine can be administered at the same doctor visit as DTaP vaccine, Hib vaccine, polio vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Available evidence suggests that rotavirus vaccine does not interfere with the immune response to these vaccines. The infant’s immune response to influenza vaccine administered at the same time as rotavirus vaccine has not been studied. However, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that an inactivated vaccine (e.g., inactivated influenza vaccine) may be administered either simultaneously or at any time before or after a different inactivated vaccine or live vaccine (e.g., rotavirus vaccine).

Vaccine Administration Errors

Infants for whom the first dose of rotavirus vaccine was inadvertently administered at age 15 weeks or older should receive the remaining doses of the series at the routinely recommended intervals. Timing of the first dose should not affect the safety and efficacy of the remaining doses. Rotavirus vaccine should not be given after age 8 months 0 days, even if the series is incomplete.