New rotavirus vaccine Rotarix to be offered in England

The government has announced the introduction of a new vaccination programme that will offer the oral therapy Rotarix to babies at two and three months of age.

GlaxoSmithKline's vaccine is being administered to infants as part of a series of new or amended vaccination programmes to be introduced by Public Health England this year, with additional shingles, meningococcal group C and flu schemes currently being planned.

Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children under five, with the condition being responsible for causing 130,000 visits to the GP and 13,000 hospitalisations for dehydration every year.

Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection and medical director at Public Health England, said: "Although good hygiene measures can help prevent spread of the disease, the best way to protect your baby from catching rotavirus is to get them vaccinated."

The government has previously stated that it will be rolling out its new flu and shingles vaccination programmes in September 2013.