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Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Rotavirus

The Disease

Rotavirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). The rotavirus disease causes severe watery diarrhea, often with vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.  Rotavirus is shed (passed from a person’s body into the environment) in feces (stool) of infected persons. The virus spreads by the fecal-oral route; this means that the virus must be shed by an infected person and then enter a susceptible person’s mouth to cause infection.

The Vaccine

There are two brands of rotavirus vaccine. A baby should get either two or three doses, depending on which brand is used.  The first dose should be given at 2 months of age, the second dose at 4 months of age and the third dose (if needed) should be given at 6 months of age.

Who Should get Vaccinated?

All children should be vaccinated against rotavirus.

North Carolina Requirements

Rotavirus vaccination is not required in North Carolina

Additional Resources

• CDC page on rotavirus
• Images of rotavirus (please be aware some of these images may be inappropriate for young or sensitive viewers)
• Vaccine Information Statement