Rotavirus vaccine – “If the baby spits all of the vaccine out/vomits, are you supposed to give another vaccine in the same appointment or wait 4 weeks to try again?”
When administering the rotavirus vaccine, it’s not uncommon for infants to spit out or regurgitate part of the oral dose. The Green Book provides clear guidance on what to do in this situation“If the infant spits out or regurgitates most of the vaccine, a single replacement dose may be given at the same vaccination visit.”
This means the vaccine should be readministered during the same appointment, not delayed for four weeks or moved to a later date. A replacement dose ensures the infant receives adequate protection and maintains the correct schedule.
For additional support, practices can refer to Vaccine Incident Guidance: Responding to Vaccine Errors, which outlines how to manage administration issues, documentation, and follow‑up after any vaccine incident.
In summary:
- If most of the rotavirus vaccine is spat out or vomited, give one replacement dose immediately
- Do not delay the dose or reschedule
- Follow Green Book guidance and document the incident
- Use vaccine incident guidance for governance, reporting and learning
This approach ensures safe, evidence‑based immunisation practice and aligns with national standards for rotavirus vaccination.
