Jeongeup City in Jeollabuk-do announced on the 6th that it will provide free rotavirus vaccinations for infants aged 2 to 6 months.
Rotavirus is common, with 95% of infants and young children experiencing it at least once before the age of five. However, it causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, often referred to as "pseudo-cholera," leading to serious dehydration and high contagion, which can be fatal for infants and young children with weak immune systems.
Therefore, rotavirus vaccination is essential to prevent gastroenteritis during infancy and early childhood.
The rotavirus vaccination, which starts at 2 months of age, requires a minimum interval of about 4 weeks between doses, and depending on the vaccine type, 2 to 3 doses are needed.
The vaccination is administered orally, and parents can choose between two types of vaccines (Rotarix with 2 doses, Rotatek with 3 doses).
However, after the first dose, all subsequent doses must be completed with the vaccine from the same manufacturer.
The first dose must be given before the infant reaches 14 weeks and 6 days of age, and all doses must be completed before the infant turns 8 months old.
Due to the oral administration method, if the child cries or spits out the vaccine and does not receive the recommended dose, re-vaccination is not required; the remaining doses should be completed according to the vaccination schedule.
Vaccination sites can be checked on the Jeongeup City Health Center website, and vaccinations are available at the health center and six designated medical institutions.
A health center official stated, "Rotavirus is a cause of gastroenteritis in infants and young children," adding, "With the reduction of vaccination costs that guardians had to bear, we hope timely vaccination will help promote the healthy growth and development of infants and young children."
For more details, contact the Jeongeup City Health Center Vaccination Office.
Jeongeup = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jaegil baekok@asiae.co.kr
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