New rotavirus vaccination included in the UK childhood immunisation schedule

From September this year, a routine rotavirus vaccination will be added to the UK childhood immunisation schedule for the next three years

All babies from the ages of 6 to 24 weeks, will be given Rotarix, an oral vaccine.

The additional vaccination will be added to the programme for three years

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus infecting the stomach and bowel.

It causes rapid onset diarrhoea and vomiting.

The virus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in babies and children under the age of five years.