Final answer:
Rotateq is a vaccine used to prevent gastroenteritis caused by rotaviruses. Rotaviruses are common among children and are spread via the fecal-oral route. Vaccination is recommended by health organizations like the CDC and WHO to mitigate the spread of the disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rotavirus Vaccination and Gastroenteritis:
Rotaviruses are a cause of gastroenteritis, which can be prevented through vaccination. The Rotateq vaccine is specifically designed to protect against several types of rotaviruses known to cause severe diarrhea. These viruses, which belong to the family Reoviridae, are particularly widespread among children and are mostly transmitted through the fecal-oral route.
World health organizations, like the CDC and WHO, recommend the rotavirus vaccine as part of the standard vaccine schedule for infants, with the initial dose being given between six and 15 weeks of age. The vaccine not only helps to avoid severe illness but also reduces viral transmission in communities, thus providing additional protection to unvaccinated and vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
Rotaviruses are formidable because they can survive on contaminated surfaces; hence, the environment in which children play can become a mode of transmission. Since these viruses are most commonly found in places like daycare centers, vaccination plays a critical role in preventing the spread of infection.