Rotarix

Rotarix is a routine childhood vaccine given by mouth during early infancy. It provides protection from rotavirus, a virus that is a common cause of severe diarrhea in children. The vaccine is given as two separate doses, at least four weeks apart; the second dose should be given before the child turns six months old.

• Rotarix is given as two doses, while RotaTeq requires three doses.
   
• The Rotarix two-dose series can be completed before the RotaTeq three-dose series.
   
• Although both vaccines are given by mouth, RotaTeq comes in ready-to-use tubes, while Rotarix requires a little preparation by the healthcare provider (to mix it).
   
• RotaTeq was approved before Rotarix, so most healthcare providers have more experience with RotaTeq.
   
• Children with latex allergies should not take Rotarix; this is not a problem with RotaTeq.
   
• Rotarix protects against the G1, G3, G4, and G9 types of rotavirus, while RotaTeq protects against the G1, G2, G3, and G4 types. As expected, the manufacturers of both vaccines argue that their particular vaccine provides better protection, due to these differences in protection against the various types of rotavirus.