Rotavirus

Key facts

  • Rotavirus causes diarrhoea (watery poo) and vomiting (gastroenteritis) that can make babies so sick they need to go to hospital for treatment.

  • The oral rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect your child against rotavirus.

Last updated on 23 April 2023.

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It is recommended that you vaccinate your child against rotavirus at:


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What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus causes diarrhoea (watery poo) and vomiting (gastroenteritis) that can make babies so sick they need to go to hospital for treatment. Babies and children catch rotavirus when they put contaminated objects like their hands or toys into their mouths.1 A person with rotavirus can pass on the disease even before they know they are sick.

What will happen to my child if they catch rotavirus?

Usual symptoms

  • Rotavirus infection causes fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be mild or severe.

Rare symptoms

  • Young children who have severe rotavirus can become extremely dehydrated and die.
     
What vaccine will protect my child against rotavirus?

The oral rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect your child against rotavirus. 

When should my child be vaccinated?

It is recommended that children get the oral rotavirus vaccine at two months and four months.

It is important that children get all their vaccinations on time to ensure they have the  best possible protection against infectious diseases.

Will my child catch rotavirus from the vaccine?

The oral rotavirus vaccine does not usually cause rotavirus in healthy children. It is a live vaccine that contains weakened rotavirus. After vaccination, this weakened virus harmlessly multiplies in the gut and trains your child’s immune system to recognise the natural virus and fight the disease. 

Rarely, some babies who have the rotavirus vaccine can experience significant rotavirus-like symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, but they recover fully. Babies who catch rotavirus in the community are often much sicker and do not always recover.

Children with cancer or serious immune system diseases are sometimes not recommended to have the oral rotavirus vaccine as they may experience significant rotavirus-like symptoms. Your immunisation provider will screen for these conditions before giving your child their vaccine.

What are the common reactions to the vaccine?

About 3 per cent of babies who get a rotavirus vaccine get diarrhoea or vomit in the week afterwards. This usually only lasts a day or two.

Are there any rare/and or serious side effects to the vaccine?

Around 0.006 per cent of babies develop a blockage in their intestine (guts) called ‘intussusception’ due to their first or second dose of the rotavirus vaccine. Intussusception causes bouts of strong pain in a baby’s tummy, and they can look pale, weak and very sick. They may vomit. If your baby has symptoms like this, they need to be taken to hospital straight away. Babies who are treated for intussusception usually don’t have any long-term health problems.

If your child doesn’t seem to be getting better, or you are worried about them, you can get help from: 

  • your doctor 
  • your nearest emergency department 
  • or by calling Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
What impact has vaccination had on the prevalence of rotavirus?

Hospitalisation rates due to rotavirus have declined steeply after the rotavirus vaccine was added to the National Immunisation Program in 2007.2 

graph: What impact has vaccination had on the prevalence of rotavirus?