Both RotaTeq and ROTARIX are live virus vaccines and it is possible for a vaccine recipient to shed the vaccine-strain virus to others. Persons most at risk for developing rotavirus through vaccine virus shedding are those who are immunocompromised and are exposed to a recently vaccinated infant.
In addition to vaccine virus shedding and transmission, infections from vaccine-derived strains can also occur. Vaccine-derived viruses are caused by a reassortment of the vaccine strain virus during its replication and elimination from the body. This type of rotavirus infection occurs when the genetic material in the rotavirus vaccine strains combine differently (reassortment) and create a new (novel) strain of the virus. This novel vaccine-derived virus is then eliminated from the vaccine recipient’s body (i.e bowel movement) and is transmissible to others and capable of also causing gastrointestinal illness.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about rotavirus and rotavirus vaccines by reading all sections in the Table of Contents, which contain many links and resources such as the manufacturer product information inserts, and to speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
