Concurrent administration of rhesus rotavirus tetravalent (RRV-TV) vaccinewith pentavalent diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus-Haemophilus influenzae b-inactivated polio and hepatitis B vaccines

To investigate the incorporation of oral rhesus-human reassortant rotavirus tetravalent (RRV-TV) vaccine into a routine immunization programme, RRV-TV or oral placebo was coadministered with a pentavalent diphtheria-tetanus-w hole-cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib)-inactivated polio vaccin e and hepatitis B vaccine following a 3-4-5-mo schedule in a double-blind t rial involving 249 infants. Seroconversion rates after 3 doses of rotavirus vaccine were 80% for rotavirus immunoglobulin A (IgA) and 93% for RRV neut ralizing antibodies. Rotavirus vaccine did not interfere with the immune re sponses to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, poliovirus 1, 2 and 3, or h epatitis B. Following the first, second and third doses of vaccine, fever > 38 degrees C on the day of vaccination was seen in 31%; 23% and 24%, respec tively, with no difference between RRV-TV- and placebo-vaccinated children. This fever was presumably due to the whole-cell pertussis vaccine. Those v accinees who received concomitant RRV-TV vaccine had another peak of fever around d 4 after the first dose, when 25% of them had fever >38 degrees C a nd 3% >39 degrees C. It is concluded that RRV-TV rotavirus vaccine can be g iven concurrently with other childhood immunizations following a 3-4-5-mo v accination schedule. However, febrile reactions to RRV-TV rotavirus vaccine are common when the first dose is given at the age of 3 mo.