About rotavirus

Stomach flu (acute gastro-enteritis)

When a person has stomach flu, the inside of the stomach or intestines is inflamed. This is usually caused by a virus. Stomach flu can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and fever.

Rotavirus infection

A rotavirus infection is caused by an infectious disease. Almost all children get a rotavirus infection before they turn 5 years old – and most children have it before the age of 2 years. Rotavirus is the main cause of stomach flu in young children. If diarrhoea lasts too long or is very intense, children can become dehydrated. About 3,500 children are admitted to hospital every year in the Netherlands with symptoms of dehydration. Five or six children a year die from the consequences of a rotavirus infection. More information about rotavirus infection is available on the RIVM website.

Vaccination against rotavirus infection

Since January 2024, vaccination against the rotavirus has been included in the National Immunisation Programme. The vaccine has been available for some time. Since 2006, more and more countries have been using it. In those countries, hospital admissions for rotavirus have decreased significantly. The vaccine is given in the form of oral droplets when a child is 6 to 9 weeks old, and again at 3 months. The vaccine protects against serious consequences of rotavirus infection.

More information about vaccination against rotavirus infection can be found on the website of the National Immunization Programme.