The USFDA has approved a new liquid oral formulation of the rotavirus vaccine to prevent gastroenteritis in infants caused by G1 and non-G1 types (G3, G4, and G9) of rotaviruses in infants aged 6–24 weeks. The oral formulation is more convenient to use as it eliminates the need for reconstituting the vaccine dose at the point of use. The international clinical trial data has demonstrated non-inferiority of immunogenicity compared to the lyophilized formulation of the Rotavirus vaccine (approved in 2008) and showed similar safety and tolerability.
Recommended dose and schedule of the rotavirus vaccine The vaccine contains a live, human-attenuated rotavirus strain and is given as a two-dose series (1 ml each) with at least four weeks of intervals between the two doses. The first dose is administered to infants of age six weeks and is completed by 24 weeks. Contraindications…
