Rotavirus is an infection that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It’s very common, especially in babies and young children.
Most children with rotavirus will get better in a few days, but some children can become very dehydrated and need treatment in hospital. Very rarely, rotavirus can be life-threatening.
Rotavirus spreads very easily. Vaccination is recommended for babies to help stop them getting infected.
Babies are given 2 doses of the rotavirus vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
They are given the vaccine at:
- 8 weeks old
- 12 weeks old
More information about Rotavirus can be found on the NHS website
Rotavirus: guidance, data and analysis
The Green Book has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures, for vaccine preventable infectious diseases in the UK”
The Chapter on Rotavirus can be found on the GOV.UK website (PDF)
Page last reviewed: 11 August 2025