FDA approves new Rotavirus vaccine

The vaccine is called Rotarix, and it is the second oral vaccine approved for use. It is given in a two-dose series to infants from 16 to 24 weeks of age.

Rotavirus is an infection that causes gastroenteritis, vomitting and diarrhea in infants and children. It affects approximately 2.7 million children each year, resulting in hospitalizations and in some cases even death.

Experts say without vaccination, nearly every child in the U.S. would likely be infected at least once with the disease by age 5.