[Medical Q&A] Can one dose of vaccine eliminate rotavirus?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Huang Lei, deputy chief physician, Fifth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

Rotavirus vaccination is one of the effective measures to prevent rotavirus infection. Nevertheless, breakthrough infection may occur in rare cases, that is, vaccinated children may still be infected with rotavirus, but the symptoms are usually mild, which may manifest as: ① loose stools or watery stools, but usually not as severe as those who are not vaccinated; ② mild fever, but generally not exceeding 38°C; ③ short-term mild vomiting; ④ mild abdominal discomfort; ⑤ temporary loss of appetite; ⑥ due to mild diarrhea and vomiting, mild dehydration symptoms may occur, such as thirst, decreased urine volume, etc.

In 2009, the World Health Organization recommended the use of rotavirus vaccines worldwide. Currently, the most commonly used is the oral attenuated live rotavirus vaccine. The main targets of rotavirus vaccination are infants and children aged 2 months to 5 years. After infants and children take the vaccine orally, it can stimulate the body to produce immunity to group A rotavirus and is used to prevent diarrhea caused by group A rotavirus infection in children.