Routine Vaccine Recommendations

CDC recommends that infants receive rotavirus vaccine to protect against rotavirus disease. Two rotavirus vaccines are currently licensed for use in infants in the United States:

• 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.

The first dose of either vaccine should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age. Also, children should receive all doses of rotavirus vaccine before they turn 8 months old.

Both vaccines are given orally by putting drops in the infant’s mouth.

Contraindications and Precautions for Rotavirus Vaccination

You should not give rotavirus vaccine to babies with:

• a severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction to a previous dose of rotavirus vaccine,
• a severe (life threatening) allergy to any component of rotavirus vaccine,
• severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), or
• a previous episode of intussusception.

Babies who are mildly ill can get the vaccine. Babies who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover. This includes babies with moderate or severe diarrhea or vomiting.

You may consider vaccinating  babies with weakened immune systems due to:

• HIV/AIDS, or any other disease that affects the immune system
• treatment with drugs such as steroids
• cancer, or cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs

Conditions commonly misperceived as contraindications for rotavirus vaccine include:

• Prematurity
• Household members who are immunosuppressed
• Household members who are pregnant

To learn more about vaccine contraindications and precautions, visit: Conditions Commonly Misperceived as Contraindications to Vaccination.

Contraindications and Precautions Resources

• Rotavirus ACIP Vaccine Recommendations
• Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccines to Infants pdf icon[4 pages]external icon, Immunization Action Coalition
• Questions & Answers about Intussusception and Rotavirus Vaccine
• Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines
• General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization (ACIP)
• General Recommendations on Immunization, The Pink Book: Course Textbook (13th Edition 2015)

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