MSD Malaysia launched Rotateq, a vaccine that targets 5 strains of rotavirus - G1, G2, G3, G4 and P1. These strains were known to have caused more than 90% of the rotavirus infections detected in children worldwide, between 1989 and 2004.
The vaccine was developed to prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis, a leading cause of severe diarrhea requiring hospitalisations in infants and young children. It is an oral, three-dose vaccine given to infants between the ages of 6 to 32 weeks.
Rotavirus is easily transmitted through the fecal-oral route and the fecal contamination of food. A large quantity of the virus is shed in the stool of an infected carrier. The hardy virus can survive on clothing, floor surfaces, or even toys for weeks.
Infants and young children are most susceptible to rotavirus infections because they frequently put their contaminated fingers or toys into their mouths.
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