What is Rotavirus? Who is Eligible for Publicly Funded Vaccines? A Q&A on Prevention

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old, most common in developing countries. Vaccination can significantly reduce its incidence. The incubation period is generally 24 to 72 hours.

Viral gastroenteritis is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, such as consuming food or water contaminated with the virus, sharing food, water, or utensils with an infected person; close contact with a patient's vomit, excreta, or surfaces they have touched; or inhaling droplets from a patient's vomit and excreta can lead to infection.

The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting, and may also include headache, fever, abdominal cramps, stomach pain, nausea, and muscle aches. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 72 hours after infection. The duration of the illness depends on the type of virus and individual immunity. Rotavirus symptoms last for 3 to 8 days.

1. Pay attention to personal hygiene. Wash hands properly with soap or hand sanitizer before preparing meals, before eating, after using the toilet, and after caring for a patient (including after changing diapers or handling excreta for infants, the elderly, or those requiring long-term care).

The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine and will be included in public funding starting in 2027. Taiwan currently approves two brands of oral rotavirus vaccines: Rotarix and RotaTeq. Rotarix is a 2-dose regimen, and RotaTeq is a 3-dose regimen. The minimum age for vaccination is 6 weeks after birth, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses. The maximum age for vaccination is not to exceed 8 months. It is applicable to those born after June 2026.

(CNA website, June 30) Luo Yi-chun, director-general of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC), announced at a regular epidemic briefing on the 30th that the rotavirus vaccine will be included in public funding starting next year. Depending on the dosage regimen, parents can save up to NT$6,000. Approximately 120,000 infants are estimated to benefit in the first year. What is rotavirus? What are the symptoms of infection? How to prevent it? CNA has compiled a Q&A on prevention to help you understand.

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old, most common in developing countries. Vaccination can significantly reduce its incidence. The incubation period is generally 24 to 72 hours.

In addition to infecting humans, it can also infect cattle and primates, but animal rotaviruses rarely cause human infections.

Viral gastroenteritis is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, such as consuming food or water contaminated with the virus, sharing food, water, or utensils with an infected person; close contact with a patient's vomit, excreta, or surfaces they have touched; or inhaling droplets from a patient's vomit and excreta can lead to infection.

The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting, and may also include headache, fever, abdominal cramps, stomach pain, nausea, and muscle aches. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 72 hours after infection. The duration of the illness depends on the type of virus and individual immunity. Rotavirus symptoms last for 3 to 8 days.

Most people who get viral gastroenteritis usually recover completely without long-term sequelae. However, for those who lose body fluids and electrolytes due to vomiting or diarrhea and cannot replenish them, such as infants, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those requiring long-term care, fluid loss can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can result in convulsions or even death, requiring special attention.

1. Pay attention to personal hygiene. Wash hands properly with soap or hand sanitizer before preparing meals, before eating, after using the toilet, and after caring for a patient (including after changing diapers or handling excreta for infants, the elderly, or those requiring long-term care).

2. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Avoid raw food and drinks, especially oysters and shellfish, which should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Use serving chopsticks and spoons when sharing meals with others.

3. Clothing and bedding contaminated by patients should be changed immediately, and diluted bleach should be used for disinfection depending on the degree of contamination. (Contaminated surfaces can be wiped with 20 ml of bleach added to 1 liter of water; patient's vomit and excreta should be disinfected and cleaned with 100 ml of bleach added to 1 liter of water.)

4. Wear a mask when entering public places and cleaning/disinfecting patient's excreta or vomit to prevent droplet transmission.

5. Breastfeeding newborns can enhance the immunity of infants and young children.

6. Get vaccinated.

The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine and will be included in public funding starting in 2027. Taiwan currently approves two brands of oral rotavirus vaccines: Rotarix and RotaTeq. Rotarix is a 2-dose regimen, and RotaTeq is a 3-dose regimen. The minimum age for vaccination is 6 weeks after birth, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses. The maximum age for vaccination is not to exceed 8 months. It is applicable to those born after June 2026.

After the universal public funding for infant vaccination is fully implemented, infants who have not completed the required doses are also eligible for publicly funded rotavirus vaccination. Eligible infants will generally complete the vaccination series with the same brand. (Editor: Cheng Yi-chun) 1150630

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