Recommendations for rotavirus vaccine

Ping Ing Lee, Po Yen Chen, Yhu Chering Huang, Chin Yun Lee, Chun Yi Lu, Mei Hwei Chang, Yung Zen Lin, Nan Chang Chiu, Yen Hsuan Ni, Chung Ming Chen, Luan Yin Chang, Ren Bin Tang, Li Min Huang, Yung Feng Huang, Kao Pin Hwang, Betau Hwang, Tzou Yien Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rotavirus infection has been the leading cause of gastroenteritis among children in Taiwan. Studies have shown that 40% of hospitalization for acute gastroenteritis can be prevented through the use of vaccines, including a live, attenuated monovalent rotavirus vaccine and a pentavalent, human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine. In 2009, the World Health Organization suggested that rotavirus vaccine should be included in all national immunization programs. This review summarizes issues and recommendations discussed during an expert meeting in Taiwan. The recommendations included: (1) rotavirus vaccine should be offered to all healthy infants (including those without contraindications, such as immunodeficiency) at an appropriate age; (2) either monovalent or pentavalent vaccine can be administered concurrently with routine injected vaccines; (3) the administration of rotavirus vaccine must be administered at least 2 weeks prior to oral polio vaccination; (4) the first vaccine dose for infants should be administered between age 6 weeks and age 14 weeks 6 days and the course should be completed by age 8 months 0 day; (5) pentavalent vaccines can be administered at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months while monovalent vaccines can be taken at 2 months and 4 months; (6) a combined use of monovalent and pentavalent vaccine is justified only when the previous dose is unavailable or unknown; and (7) rotavirus vaccines may be given to premature infants, human immunodeficiency virus infected infants and infants who have received or are going to receive blood products.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)355-359
Number of pages5
JournalPediatrics and Neonatology
Volume54
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • diarrhea
  • recommendation
  • rotavirus infection
  • Taiwan
  • vaccine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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