Rotavirus Vaccine

Overview

Rotavirus can cause watery diarrhea and vomiting, especially in young children and infants. Children who become dehydrated need to be hospitalized and die from complications. This can also severely affect older children and older adults, especially people with weakened immune systems.

The rotavirus vaccine is the best way to prevent infection and stop the spread of disease. Children who are vaccinated may still get sick and infected more than once from rotavirus. Neither the vaccine nor natural infection provides full protection from future infections. However, vaccinated children are less likely to get severely sick.

Childhood Recommendations

Babies should get two or three doses of the rotavirus vaccine, depending on the vaccine brand.

• RoraTeq is given as three doses at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months
• Rotarix is given as two doses at ages 2 months and 4 months

Before a child turns eight months old, they should have received all doses of rotavirus vaccine.

Adult recommendations

Rotavirus vaccine is not recommended for adults.

Immunization schedules

Childhood schedules: 

• Birth—6 years
• Ages 7–18 years

Adult schedule:

• Adult (19 years and older) vaccine schedule.

Additional information about the chickenpox vaccine

Rotavirus Vaccine Information Statement

CDC’s Rotavirus main page