The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) said today (the 30th) that rotavirus is one of the main causes of gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old.
Infected infants may require hospitalization due to severe watery diarrhea. To protect children's health, the Executive Yuan approved in last year (2025)
on December 18 to include the rotavirus vaccine in the publicly funded infant immunization program. Based on international vaccination practices
and domestic research results, and on June 24 this year (2026) submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Infectious Disease Prevention Advisory Committee (ACIP) for discussion on
vaccination group (ACIP). Considering the two brands of rotavirus vaccines approved domestically, available in 2-dose and 3-dose regimens,
the vaccine efficacy and safety for preventing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants are comparable. Both brands can prevent severe
rotavirus gastroenteritis by over 90%, significantly reducing the likelihood of hospitalization due to rotavirus infection, and the adverse event rates of both brands are
similar to those of the placebo group. Therefore, it is recommended that both brands be offered to the public for choice, with implementation expected in
on January 1, 2027, and about 120,000 infants are expected to benefit in the first year.
The relevant vaccination details are as follows:
1. Vaccination age: minimum is 6 weeks after birth, maximum must not exceed 8 months.
2. Recommended vaccination schedule:
■ 2-dose regimen: at 2 and 4 months of age.
■ 3-dose regimen: at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
3. Interval between doses: at least 4 weeks.
The CDC explained that the rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine, and currently 16 counties/cities provide it to local infants through self-purchase or subsidies
for vaccination. After the nationwide public funding for infant vaccination is fully provided next year, infants who have not completed the required doses will also be eligible for the publicly funded rotavirus vaccine,
as public vaccine recipients. Age‑eligible children should, in principle, complete the series with the same brand.
The CDC noted that after the rotavirus vaccine is included in the public program, the number of routine publicly funded infant vaccines in our country will increase to provide
10 vaccines, capable of preventing 15 infectious diseases. This will not only enhance overall immunity protection for children, but also reduce parents'
financial burden, and help eliminate health inequities caused by urban‑rural disparities. Parents should follow the schedule accordingly.
Protect children's health.
Source: CDC
Data compiled by: Sensory Management Office
