Rotavirus vaccination for children
Specialist for pediatrics & adolescent medicine
Rotavirus vaccination: The rotavirus vaccination is an oral vaccination for infants and young children. It protects against infections with this virus, which can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting.
- Latest update: August 24, 2026
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According to Vaccination service of the City of Vienna the oral vaccine protects against more than 70 % of rotavirus diarrhea and more than 90 % of severe cases. Following the introduction of the vaccination, the hospitalization rate fell by around 90 % and herd immunity was demonstrated.
What are rotaviruses?
Rotaviruses are pathogens that cause severe diarrhea, especially in infants and young children. They are regarded worldwide as the Most common cause of gastroenteritis (vomiting diarrhea) in childhood.
Even if the Introduction of vaccination in Austria has significantly reduced the number of serious illnesses, rotavirus infection should not be underestimated. Before the vaccination, around 2,900 to 4,400 children was admitted to hospital due to severe diarrhea.
Today, such disease progressions are rarer, but not impossible. Especially with small children rotaviruses can become dangerous due to the loss of fluids.
The Viruses are very resistantThey survive for many hours on hands and even several days on surfaces. Just a few pathogens are enough to trigger an infection. Vaccination is therefore an effective and safe protection against unnecessary hospital stays.
How are rotaviruses transmitted?
Rotaviruses are excreted via the intestine and transmission is usually fecal-oral. This means that the Absorption happens through the mouth - often via contaminated objects, hands or surfaces that are contaminated with rotavirus.
Already a very Small amount of viruses is sufficientto trigger an infection. Droplet transmission, on the other hand, only plays a subordinate role. Hygiene is particularly important for infants and young children to prevent transmission.
What happens with a rotavirus infection?
In the case of a rotavirus infection, the viruses enter the intestine via the mouth, multiply in the cells of the small intestinal mucosa and cause a Loss of fluid in the body. Hospitalization is not uncommon.
The incubation period is between one and three days. In the process Mucosal cells destroyedwhich are normally responsible for the absorption of nutrients and water. This disrupts the absorption of fluids and salt and leads to severe vomiting, diarrhea and loss of fluids.
Especially for small children In the first two years of life, the course of the disease can be very serious. Admission to hospital is often necessary. Without treatment, the disease can be fatal in the worst case.
Typical symptoms of rotavirus disease
The disease usually manifests itself through watery or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. The course of the disease usually lasts two to six days. Vaccinated children can also fall ill, but the symptoms are usually milder. Repeated rotavirus infections are possible, but are increasingly milder.
Symptoms at a glance:
Watery or bloody diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Abdominal pain
Rapid loss of fluids (dehydration)
Why a rotavirus vaccination makes sense
The vaccine reliably protects infants and young children against rotavirus diarrhea and severe rotavirus diarrhea. It is administered as Oral vaccination and is part of the free vaccination program in Austria.
The oral vaccination with the rotavirus vaccine prevents more than 70 % of all rotavirus infections and protects over 90 % from severe courses. This not only reduces the risk of hospitalization, but also promotes the general health of the children.
Since the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in Austria, hospitalization rates due to rotavirus infections have been decreased by around 90 %. At the same time, a clear herd immunity which increases protection even for unvaccinated children.
Implementation depending on the vaccine used
The National vaccination committee recommends rotavirus vaccination for babies from the age of 6 weeks. Two different vaccines are available for this purpose: Rotarix (two doses) and RotaTeq (three doses).
Here is the general vaccination schedule:
1st vaccination: in the 7th week of life
2nd vaccination: from at least 4 weeks after the first vaccination (around 3 months of age)
3rd vaccination if necessary (only for RotaTeq): from four weeks after the second vaccination (around 4 months of age)
The vaccination is administered as an oral vaccine, is well tolerated and prevents severe diarrhea and hospital stays due to rotavirus. The Vaccines are not interchangeable. The vaccination series must therefore be completed with the same vaccine - ideally by the 6th month of life.
For acutely ill babies, the Vaccination postponed becometo avoid further danger to the child. This can impair the effect of the vaccination or cause complications and increased discomfort, putting the baby under additional strain.Care after vaccination
After rotavirus vaccination, infants and young children can take the Excreting vaccine viruses via the stool. This means that rotaviruses can be transmitted to people who have not been vaccinated.
Parents should therefore Pay particular attention to hygieneWash hands thoroughly and clean changing areas. This will prevent fecal-oral transmission and ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity.Frequently asked questions and answers
How useful is a rotavirus vaccination?
The rotavirus vaccination is very useful, especially for babies and toddlers. This is because it protects them from severe diarrheal diseases and significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and serious illnesses.
The Herd immunity in the population is strengthened so that fewer children suffer from rotavirus infections. Do babies need a rotavirus vaccination?
Yes, rotavirus vaccination is recommended for babies, Ideally from the 6th week of life. It protects against serious illnesses caused by the virus and reduces the likelihood of hospitalization.
The vaccination is carried out as Oral vaccination in several doses and is particularly important in the first few months of life, as the risk of severe courses is highest around this time. When can side effects occur after the rotavirus vaccination?
Side effects after the rotavirus vaccination can usually occur shortly after the oral vaccination, often within one to three days. Common reactions are mild diarrhea, abdominal pain or vomiting. These side effects are usually harmless and subside on their own - they simply show that the immune system is reacting to the vaccine.