What type of vaccine is the Rotavirus vaccine?

The Rotavirus vaccine is a live oral vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus that causes rotavirus infections. This attenuation allows the vaccine to stimulate an immune response without causing the disease itself. The live oral formulation is designed to be administered orally, mimicking the natural route of infection, which helps to induce both mucosal and systemic immunity.

Live attenuated vaccines are effective in creating strong and long-lasting immunity, which is particularly important in protecting against rotavirus, a leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children. The oral delivery method also makes it easier for administration, especially in pediatric populations.

In contrast, inactivated vaccines consist of viruses that have been killed, which can sometimes require multiple doses to achieve effective immunity. Subunit vaccines are made from pieces of the virus (like proteins) and typically do not replicate in the body. mRNA vaccines, a newer technology, work differently by using messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a protein from the virus, leading to an immune response. Each of these alternatives lacks the live, attenuated component essential to the effectiveness of the Rotavirus vaccine.