My wife suddenly asked about the rotavirus vaccine Nayul would receive in June. At the Rainbow Pediatric Clinic, they offer both 'Rotateq' and 'Rotarix', but the choice is left to the parents. 😵💫 Being unfamiliar with rotavirus and having to choose a vaccine for it was a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, since the rotavirus vaccine became part of the national vaccination support program in March 2023 (March 6th, 2023), we could figure out which vaccine to get for free! Before the subsidy, Rotateq usually cost 100,000 won per dose and Rotarix 150,000 won; roughly a total of 300,000 won for the full vaccination.
Since the vaccine was included in the national vaccination support program, it was relatively easy to find related information through official documentation.👍
Rotavirus (Rotavirus)
Rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in infants, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain when infected. It is highly contagious and is usually transmitted from feces to the mouth. The virus can be contagious for about 24-72 hours. If you don't wash your hands thoroughly after changing diapers or using the restroom, the virus can spread. The virus can stay on diapers or toys for several days, and infection can occur when you touch or ingest them. Gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus is not very fatal for adults, but for infants who have limited fluid intake, dehydration can be lethal. Since there is no specific treatment, preventing infection through vaccination is recommended. The first rotavirus vaccine should be given before 15 weeks of age and must be completed before 8 months of age. The same manufacturer's vaccine must be used for all doses (no mixing).
Rotavirus Vaccines (Rotateq vs. Rotarix)
So, we understand that we need to vaccinate Nayul, especially against the potentially fatal rotavirus. Both vaccines are approved in our country and have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for their effectiveness in preventing rotavirus infections. But isn't it a parent's natural instinct to choose the safer and better option? 😅 I did some more research based on official data. I looked up each vaccine's information on the government's Integrated Medical Product Information System.
Based on the site's information, a brief overview of each vaccine can be summarized. Some sources mentioned that Rotarix was introduced in Korea in March 2008, but the official data indicates approval in 2011. However, this information alone might not be the sole basis for our decision.
I also looked into adverse reactions and clinical research results. I'm no expert in this field, so I reviewed the information within my understanding. Both vaccines have specific conditions under which they shouldn't be administered to infants. Fortunately, Nayul doesn't have any of these issues (luckily, she hasn't had any diarrhea or vomiting so far 👏), so she can get vaccinated.
[Conditions under which Rotavirus vaccine should not be given]
👉 If there is a history of allergic reactions to the vaccine's ingredients
👉 If there is a history of congenital abdominal disease or intussusception
👉 If there is a congenital gastrointestinal anomaly (e.g., Meckel's diverticulum)
👉 If there is Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
👉 Delay vaccine if the child has diarrhea or is vomiting
After vaccination, commonly reported side effects include "rash, dermatitis, temporary diarrhea or vomiting." And although rare, intussusception can also occur. Both vaccines had cases of intussusception, but the chances were similarly low.
[Intussusception - Seoul Asan Hospital]
Intussusception refers to the intestine folding into itself. It often occurs when the end of the small intestine, the ileum, rolls into the cecum of the large intestine. About 80% of intussusception cases occur in children between 6 months and 2 years of age.
Based on the clinical trials of the vaccines (although these were conducted a while ago and might have outdated data), Rotateq prevented severe rotavirus in 98% of cases and all forms of gastroenteritis in 74% of cases. It reduced hospitalizations by 96%, emergency room visits by 94%, and outpatient visits by 86%. Rotarix prevented severe rotavirus in 96% of cases and reduced hospitalizations by 94%. Both vaccines were effective in preventing rotavirus infections.
Understanding the clinical results was a bit challenging as the presentation format was different from typical documents, and I might have misunderstood some aspects. Hence, I'm sharing the links to the documents for both vaccines for those who might want to delve deeper.
So, which vaccine to choose?
Sigh, it's tough 😭. While there isn’t a vast difference, based on the available data, Rotatec seems to offer about a 2% higher prevention rate. I'm leaning towards getting Nayul vaccinated with 'Rotatec'. Even after just two doses of Rotatec, they say there's a 90% prevention rate. So, wouldn't the preventive effect be even better after the third dose!? Although it means an additional visit to the pediatrician, it’s worth it to protect Nayul from potential virus exposure! (Bring it on, viruses! 🤺)
By the way, for Rotarix, after two doses, the vaccination period is shorter, and it generates antibodies faster since it's made purely from human strains. So, it's recommended for kids who often go to daycare or are frequently outdoors. (+ advice from a parenting senior) No matter which oral vaccine is administered, if a child throws up or spits out the vaccine, it's challenging to determine the exact amount that was taken in, hence there's no re-administration. If the child had formula not long before, there's a higher chance they might spit it out, so it's best to finish feeding them at least an hour before vaccination. All one can do is hope that Nayul swallows the vaccine properly after being fed!
Vaccine Appointment Process
Reserving the rotavirus vaccine is the same as with other vaccinations; you can check on the Vaccination Helper website. While the site doesn’t allow for reservations, you can verify if there's a medical institution in your area that offers the vaccine and then proceed with a phone reservation.
Study notes from May 16, 2023.