VACCINE RESOURCE COMMITTEE

of the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association

View Full List of Vaccine Questions Here

Rotavirus Vaccine Question #2:

What are some of the serious but less common adverse effects?

There are some contraindications to the live vaccine that cannot be given to some populations.

RV vaccines are contraindicated in infants with SCID; previous history of intussusception; a history of anaphylaxis after previous administration of the vaccine; or proven immediate or anaphylactic hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or its container.

Intussusception in the first year of life occurs at a background rate of about 34 per 100,000 per year; however, the rate varies with age in the first year of life and peaks between 5 and 10 months of age.

Parents should be informed of the low risk of intussusception following RV vaccine (1 to 7 cases per 100,000 doses), particularly during the 7 days following the first dose. Parent education should include the signs and symptoms of intussusception and the importance of seeking medical care should symptoms develop. They should also be informed that the risk of intussusception remains small compared to the benefit of RV vaccination in preventing disease and of the potential for severe diarrhea from RV.

sOURCE:

Government of Canada: Rotavirus vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide