United States of America. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first vaccine (Rotashield: Wyeth Ayerst) to help prevent rotaviral disease, the most common cause of severe diarrhoea and vomiting in infants in the United States.

The vaccine is approved for the immunization of infants and is given orally in a three- dose schedule at 2, 4 and 6 months, when most other childhood vaccines are given. It is not currently recommended to start the vaccination schedule in infants over 6 months.

The most common adverse reactions include moderate fever, increased irritability, and decreased appetite and activity, all within five days of vaccination.

Reference: HHS News P98-24 dated 31 August 1998.