RV
Rotavirus (RV)
Rotavirus: 3 doses; the first dose must be given before 15 weeks of age and no dose on or after 8 months (CDC). The Rotavirus vaccine protects against Rotavirus (severe infant diarrhea).
Not a standard school requirement Strict age limits
Key takeaways
- On the routine, on-time schedule, RV is a 3-dose series. Delaying the start doesn't change the total number of RV doses — it spaces them out.
- Rotavirus has hard age limits: the first dose must be before 15 weeks of age and no dose may be given on/after 8 months. It CANNOT be delayed — if you want a slow schedule, rotavirus must either follow the standard early timing or be omitted.
- None of the RV products listed on this page contain an aluminum adjuvant.
- RV is generally not required for kindergarten entry. Check your state's specific rules.
What changes when RV is delayed?
On the routine, started-on-time schedule, RV is a 3-dose series. Delaying the start does not always change this, but for several vaccines the CDC's own catch-up rules mean a later start needs fewer total doses. Here is what applies to RV:
- Cannot be part of a delayed schedule due to strict age cutoffs.
- 2 doses (Rotarix) or 3 doses (RotaTeq), at 2/4 (/6) months.
Cannot be delayed. Rotavirus has hard age limits: the first dose must be before 15 weeks of age and no dose may be given on/after 8 months. It CANNOT be delayed — if you want a slow schedule, rotavirus must either follow the standard early timing or be omitted. First dose by about 15 weeks. No dose on/after 8 months.
The exact timing depends on your child's age and how you space visits. The spaced-out scheduler applies these rules automatically and shows the minimum doses still needed by your deadline. For a fuller look at timing, risks and catch-up, see the delay guide for RV.
What brands and ingredients does the RV vaccine have?
The US-licensed products below are listed with their manufacturer, aluminum content, preservative and egg flags, and full ingredient list. Each card links to the official CDC or FDA source. Formulations change — treat these as a starting point, not the final word.
Single-disease brands
RotaTeq
Merck
Pentavalent, oral live vaccine. No aluminum.
Ingredients (7)
- sucrose
- sodium citrate
- sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate
- sodium hydroxide
- polysorbate 80
- cell culture media
- fetal bovine serum
Rotarix
GSK
Monovalent, oral live vaccine. No aluminum.
Ingredients (7)
- dextran
- Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium
- sorbitol
- sucrose
- calcium carbonate
- xanthan
- sterile water
RV vaccine FAQs
How many doses of RV does my child need?
On the routine, on-time schedule, RV is a 3-dose series. Delaying the start doesn't change the total number of RV doses — it spaces them out.
Can the RV vaccine be delayed or spaced out?
No. Rotavirus has hard age limits: the first dose must be before 15 weeks of age and no dose may be given on/after 8 months. It CANNOT be delayed — if you want a slow schedule, rotavirus must either follow the standard early timing or be omitted.
Does the RV vaccine contain aluminum?
No. None of the RV products listed on this page contain an aluminum adjuvant.
Is RV required for school?
RV is generally not required for kindergarten entry. Check your state's specific rules. See requirements by state.
Plan RV on a slower schedule
See how many RV doses your child would still need and when, on a spaced-out plan that finishes in time for school. Review the result with your child's healthcare practitioner.
Build my plan →Sources
Primary sources only. Links open the publisher's own page.
- CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Catch-up Immunization Schedule (Table 2) (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Child and Adolescent Schedule Notes (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Pink Book, Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA Vaccines Licensed for Use in the United States (opens in a new tab)
- CDC CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA — RotaTeq (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA — Rotarix (opens in a new tab)