Education & TrainingMedicaidNovember 1, 2024

Prevention and control of influenza and rotavirus with vaccines

Beginning January 1, 2025, UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc. became Wellpoint. This article — published under the former brand — now applies to Wellpoint.

Childhood immunizations status

Vaccines should be administered by the second birthday.

Vaccination

Immunization time frame

Four diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP)

Do not give prior to 42 days old.

Three polio (IPV)

Do not give prior to 42 days old.

One measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

Must be given between 12 and 24 months old.

Three hepatitis B (hep B)

One of the three vaccinations can be a newborn hep B vaccination.

Three haemophilus influenza type B (HiB)

Do not give prior to 42 days old.

One chicken pox (VZV)

Must be given between 12 and 24 months old.

Four pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)

Do not give prior to 42 days old.

One hepatitis A (hep A)

Must be given between 12 and 24 months old.

Two to three rotavirus (RV)

Do not give prior to 42 days old.

Two influenza (flu) vaccines

Do not give prior to six months (180 days) old.

Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines

Children younger than five years old, particularly children younger than two, are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. A flu vaccine offers the best defense against the flu and its potentially serious health complications while also reducing the spread of the flu to others. The CDC recommends that individuals six months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine yearly, ideally by the end of October. However, vaccination should continue throughout the flu season while flu viruses are circulating.

Rotavirus vaccination: information for healthcare professionals

Rotavirus is the most common cause of infectious childhood diarrhea and has historically been one of the leading causes of childhood hospitalizations for dehydration in the United States. It should be noted that both vaccines, RotaTeq and Rotarix, carry an increased risk of intussusception, a condition in which the small bowel folds back inside another part of the intestine, causing a bowel obstruction. The first dose of either vaccine should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age, and all doses of rotavirus vaccine should be completed before they turn 8 months old:

  • One vaccine, RotaTeq, recommends a three-dose schedule, with doses given at ages two, four, and six months. The first dose should be given between ages six weeks and 12 weeks with subsequent doses administered at four- to 10-week intervals.
  • Another vaccine, Rotarix, requires two doses, given between six and 23 weeks old.
  • Providers must clearly document which vaccine is given: RotaTeq (three-dose) or Rotarix (two-dose).

UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc.
Mountain Health Trust

WVUNI-CD-067357-24

PUBLICATIONS: November 2024 Provider Newsletter