GlaxoSmithKline said Monday it will release its Rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix, in a prefilled form as it acquired the Korea Food and Drug Administration approval.

Rotarix is a viral vaccine containing live, attenuated human rotavirus that helps to protect children, starting from the age of 6 weeks, from gastro-enteritis (diarrhea and vomiting) caused by rotavirus infection.

According to Diagnosia.com, Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children. Rotavirus easily spreads from hand to mouth due to contact through the stool of an infected person. Most children with rotavirus diarrhea recover on their own. However, some children become very ill with severe vomiting, diarrhea and life-threatening loss of fluids that requires hospitalization, it said.

Rotarix requires doctors’ prescription and will be available from Friday.

(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)