Training for rotavirus vaccine introduction
Module 7
Communicating about rotavirus
vaccine with caretakers
Learning objectives
 At the end of the module, the participant will be
able to:
– Describe how to communicate with caretakers
– Advise caretakers on rotavirus disease and prevention
methods particularly on the need for timely vaccination
– Alert caretakers of potential side effects and how to
respond to them
– Provide other messages to caretakers before they
leave the session
 Duration
– 20’
2|
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Key issues
1 How to communicate with
caretakers?
2 How to advise on rotavirus
disease and prevention
methods?
3 How to advise on potential
side effects?
4 What other messages to give
caretakers before they leave
the session?
3|
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
How to communicate with caretakers?
 Be respectful
 Use simple words and avoid technical terms
 Listen to caretaker's concerns
 Make sure the caretaker has understood your key
messages
4|
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
What is “triple A” communication
with parents?
5|
Advice
Alert
Arrange
on what is
given
on side effects and
how to respond
for when
to return
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Advice: How to inform about the disease?
 Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever
leading to rapid dehydration
 Rotavirus is found everywhere
– Almost every child in the world will suffer from at least one
infection by the time he or she is three years old
 Rotavirus is not the only cause of diarrhea, but it is one of
the most serious
 Rotavirus infection spreads very quickly
6|
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
What can be done to prevent rotavirus
diarrhea?
 Vaccination as part of a comprehensive approach to diarrheal disease
control offers the best hope for protecting children from rotavirus
7|
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Advice: What is the new rotavirus
vaccine?
 Millions of children have received rotavirus
vaccine in the last 8 years and the vaccine is
considered very safe and effective
 This vaccine will be given at the same time
as pentavalent vaccine, therefore no extra
visit is required for this vaccine
 Rotavirus vaccine will not prevent diarrhea
or vomiting caused by other germs, but it is
very good at preventing diarrhea and
vomiting caused by rotavirus.
8|
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Advice: Rotavirus vaccine schedule?
 Getting vaccinated on time is important
 2 doses of rotavirus vaccine
– First dose between 6 weeks and 15 weeks
– Second dose between 10 weeks and 32 weeks
– Interval of 4 weeks between the 2 doses
Rota 1
Rota 2
weeks
Birth
9|
6
10
15
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
32
Alert: How to respond to side effects?
 Infants may be more irritable. Some
infants may also experience loss of
appetite, fever, fatigue, diarrhea, and
vomiting
 After immunization, if your infant has
fever (>39˚C), give paracetamol
 If your infant shows unusual signspersistent crying, vomiting, blood in bowel
motion take him/her directly to the
hospital
10 |
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Arrange: When to return?
 Make an appointment for the next dose of rotavirus vaccine
and other vaccines according to the immunization schedule
 Wait at least 4 weeks before next appointment and make
sure the child is less than 32 weeks old
 Ensure that there is a session on the attributed date
– i.e., no public holiday, weekend, or other event
 Write the date of the next visit on the immunization card
 Remind the caretaker to come on the specified date and to
bring the card
11 |
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Key messages (1/4)
 Triple A communication - Be respectful - Listen to
caretaker's concerns
 Use simple phrases and avoid technical terms to make sure
the caretaker understands your key messages
 Ongoing dialogue may successfully reassure vaccinehesitant parents that immunization is the best and safest
option for their child
12 |
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Key messages (2/4)
 Rotavirus infection is highly contagious
 Vaccination is the only way to prevent the severe episodes
of rotavirus infection
 A child immunized with rotavirus vaccine can still get
diarrhea from other agents
– Follow all steps to prevent and control diarrhea
13 |
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Key messages (3/4)
 On-time vaccination is very important
– If children come late they will get other vaccines but will lose out on
getting the important rotavirus vaccine
 Current rotavirus vaccines are generally well tolerated
– Parents have to understand that the risk of side effects after
rotavirus vaccination is much lower than the risk of severe rotavirus
disease in unvaccinated children
– If your child shows any serious symptoms such as blood in the stool,
take him/her immediately to the nearest hospital
 Keep the immunization card safe and remember to bring it
next time
14 |
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
Key messages (4/4)
 A coordinated approach that combines rotavirus vaccines with other
prevention and treatment methods should be practiced to reduce death
and illness from diarrhea, such as:
– Rotavirus and measles vaccination
– Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and Vitamin A
supplementation
– Promotion of hand washing with soap
– Improved water supply including treatment and safe storage of
household water
– Community-wide sanitation promotion
– Fluid replacement (ORT)
– Zinc treatment
15 |
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016
End of module
Thank you
for your attention!
16 |
Communicating about rotavirus vaccine with caretakers, Module 7 | 24 July 2016