Babies will begin to be protected against rotavirus from today 1st July

30th June 2013

Rotavirus vaccine programme begins

Protection against severe diarrhoea and vomiting for babies and young children.

All babies in Scotland born on or after May 1 this year are being offered vaccination against rotavirus, a severe diarrhoea and vomiting bug affecting in babies and young children that can lead to dehydration and hospital treatment.

The vaccine will be part of the routine childhood immunisation programme

Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said: “Around 1,200 babies in Scotland have to go to hospital every year due to rotavirus, which can result in anxiety for parents and a costly hospital admission that can be easily prevented.

“The rotavirus vaccine, which has already been given safely to millions of babies around the world, will now protect tens of thousands of children from the effects of rotavirus every year.”

The vaccine will be offered routinely to all babies aged two months, and again at three months, mainly given in GP surgeries.

The rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix®, is given orally as a liquid and protects against the most common strains of rotavirus. It is not a new vaccine and has been used extensively with millions of doses having been given to babies in other countries. More information is available from Immunisation Scotland - http://www.immunisationscotland.org.uk/

The introduction of the rotavirus vaccine follows a recommendation of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. As with any vaccine or medicine newly introduced in the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency will closely monitor the use of the Rotarix® vaccine.