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Rotavirus vaccine recommendations updated by ACIP

New statement is the first issued since 2006.

Changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices rotavirus gastroenteritis prevention recommendations reflect efforts to harmonize dosing schedules for both available rotavirus vaccines.

The updates, which were recently published in an issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, included:

• Guidelines for administering the two-dose monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1, Rotarix, GlaxoSmithKline) at ages 2 and 4 months.
• A recommendation to administer the first dose of either RV1 or pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5, Rotateq, Merck) at age 14 weeks and 6 days, instead of the previously recommended 12 weeks.
• A recommendation to administer the last dose of either vaccine at a maximum age of 8 months 0 days, instead of the previously recommended 32 weeks.
• A four-week minimum interval between administration of either dose of rotavirus vaccine, instead of the previously recommended four- to 10-week interval.
• Considerations supporting vaccination of infants with HIV or those that have been exposed to HIV.
• Language permitting rotavirus vaccine administration any time before, during or after administration of any blood product, including those containing antibody.

“ACIP recommends that the rotavirus vaccine series be completed with the same product whenever possible,” the researchers wrote. “However, vaccination should not be deferred because the product used for a previous dose(s) is not available or is unknown.”

Three doses are recommended if the vaccine product is unknown for any dose in the series.

Cortese MM. MMWR. 2009:58;1-25.