Rotavirus Vaccine

M.,
I chose to have my son (now 12 weeks old) vaccinated against Rotavirus. I caught Rotavirus myself last year, and it was the most horrible thing I've ever been through. Given a choice, I'd go through childbirth again before I'd go through Rotavirus again. Anyway, the Rotateq vaccine, which has NOT been linked to intussception, is indeed given orally as previous mentioned. My son didn't seem to mind it. However, since the vaccine, which he got three weeks ago, he has had very, very runny, sticky, liquidy poo. He is not uncomfortable, is not sick from it, or anything negative. But, the vaccine can occasionally cause this in some babies. It's not a problem for us, except for the increased usage of wipes. LOL!
I say go for it. Rotavirus is bad news.

I wish that would have been offered when my son was a baby. Let me tell you my son had Rotavirus and it was HORRIBLE! He had to hospitalized overnight for dehydration. He could not keep anything down. I'm not trying to scare you I'm just telling you what I went throught and how bad it was. I almost lost my son to this so I hope it helps.

I wasn't offered the vacine but I would have gotten it, my beautiful, ACTIVE little girl got it when she was about 1 and we made multiple visits to the ER in a few days time but she was never dehydrated enough to be admitted but her poor little bottom looked like someone took sandpaper to it and the smell was horrible and just the overall pain of rotav. is indescribable, I cried everyday right along with my baby because I knew that no matter what I did she was still hurting, I think changing her diaper was the worst for her and probably the 3-7 baths a day because of the vomiting or the diar. GET IT IF YOU CAN! nothing will break your heart more than seeing your child sick with this. One more thing- it is HIGHLY contagious! there was 1 little boy at my daughter's daycare who had rotav. and she never told anyone until the provider figured it out and called the mom th pick up her son, by then the 3 other children ther ( my girl) were alredy exposed and all 3 got it within 2 days time, one girl ended up in the hospital after having it for only 1 day, let's just say that the mom that brought her sick son was asked to leave from the provider and she had to pay for the place to be professionally cleaned as well.

The last rotavirus vax was pulled because of high numbers of adverse reactions, including deaths. This one is barely better. The drug was approved because the level of reactions wasn't as high as the last one. *************** BUT, it is completely wrong to say that there are no issues with intussusception and the new vaccine. The FDA issued a warning about it in February 2007. ***************

FDA warning about the vax - http://www.fda.gov/cber/safety/phnrota021307.htm

(if you're still considering it after that, I'll keep writing)

Rotavirus is not fun. My son had it. But, it's not that big of a deal, compared to the possible reactions a baby could have. It's a financial vaccine - like chicken pox. It keeps parents at work instead of having them at home with a sick kid. (A kid sick with a common childhood illness... IIRC, 95% of kids get it by age 5.)

Here is the product insert:
http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/r/rotateq/r...

According to that it can shed for at least 15 days (they only studied it for 15 days, so it could be much longer) so if you do vax the baby be extra, extra careful about hygeine for a good time period afterwards so that you don't spread it to the rest of the family and/or other people.

Here's a long link. I hope it works. It's a compilation of the 1300+ reported adverse reactions to the vaccine from VAERS (VAERS = The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System):

http://www.medalerts.org/vaersdb/findfield.php?LOWAGE=&am...

http://tinyurl.com/wxh9q - shorter link. LOL!

All that being said, we're skipping this one.

My daughter is very sensitive and is allergic to one vaccine(pertussis) but the rotavirus vaccine was no problem. She had no side effects at all. By the looks of the other responses I think the others agree. Good Luck!

Hi M.,
My daughter is currently 10 months old and when they offered me the rotavirus I jumped on it. My daughter got to take hers orally so it was so easy for her. I think they had to give it to her 2 or 3 times, but if it keeps her healthy. Knock on wood, she has been healthy so far. I would take the vaccine.

You are correct that it is a new vaccine. I have a 19 month old. When I took him for his 18 month checkup, our pediatrician also gave us the option of having this vaccine. However, she strongly recommended that we did not do it. The "roto" virus is terrible. My entire family actually got it, starting with our son. It causes terrible diarrhea and sometimes vomiting and lasts for about 2 weeks. My son and I both were admitted into the hospital for a day due to dehydration. My husband only got the diarrhea. Anyway, this is how our doctor explained it. She said that about 50% of children of get this terrible virus. The worst thing that happens is the crankiness, sleepless nights and of course the constant cleaning up after it. In a very minut percent of the time, the child will need to go to the hospital for extra fluids. I know none of this sounds very appealling. Then the doctor said of the case studies that have been done with the vaccine, 10% of the children that received the vaccine had to have bowel obstruction surgery at some point in their life and that is why she recommended against it. Her opinion was it is better to put up with vomiting and diarrhea for a couple of days than have to have emergency surgery on your infant. She also wanted to make it very clear that the complications did arise in only 10% of the time, but it is also a new vaccine that hasn't been on the market very long. I agree that I would like to see more test results before I take the risk of surgery. As I stated before, my entire family had the roto virus and it was no picnic, but I still don't want to risk surgery if it can be avoided. I love our pediatrician. I do not have any reservations about following any recommendations she provides.

The vaccinations that we got as babies(20-30 or more years ago) were filled with unknown proteins and chemicals as well as the "live" version of the disease that is being vaccinated against, those vaccines caused seizures and forms of mental retardation, which is where some of today's fears of vaccines have come from. But they have changed the vaccines and taken out the not needed proteins and chemicals, for infants under the age of one also they have taken all the "live" part out of all the vaccines, except the newest one rotavrius which still contains the "live" disease which is why it can make the baby sick. If your baby has had any adverse reaction to vaccines so far, or if you have any family history of it, you may chose to wait till they are 1, or if you have any hesitation then you can wait till they are older to get it. Otherwise it is pretty safe, kinda just like if you get the flu shot, you can get a small version of the flu.

Hi M.,

My son had the vaccine when he was 6 weeks old (or right around there) and then he just had it again at 6 months. It is taken orally and it must taste okay because my son took it without any problems and he did not have any side-effects. He had it both times with his other vaccinations. According to his doctor they had the vaccine back in the 70's but they stopped using it because some babies were experiencing intestinal twisting. They changed it and re-tested it and they found that that side affect no longer occurs and that it is safe. I think it was approved to be used again sometime last year. I was eager to get it for my son because my brother was actually hospitalized for a long time when he was little because he had rotavirus and my neighbor's twins also had it last year and they were also in the hospital for several days. I guess the virus is especially dangerous for infants because they can become dehydrated pretty quickly. If you are hesitant, I would check with his doctor because he should be able to tell you what any potential side-effects may be so you can weigh your options. Good luck!

My daughter actually received her vaccinations a couple of days ago, including the rotavirus vaccine. My husband and I have done a lot of research since we think that there are too many vaccines administered in the first place, and the debate whether some (namely the MMR) are linked to autism really scares us, since we already have a nephew with autism. At the pediatrician's office, they recommended that she receive the vaccination since it is being recommended by the CDC, and gave us the information on the vaccine. She has no problem taking it (it is supposed to taste slightly sweet), and has not had any reactions to any of her vaccines. Even though I'm a skeptic, I think that it was important to get it, especially since we never know who she will be in contact with who has not been vaccinated against it, and kids pass things back and forth all the time.

Hi M.,
They didn't offer this vaccine when my son was younger, but I would have definitly gotten it, and will get it for my next child. I don't know too much about the virus, but I do know 2 kids (who aren't associated with each other) who spent at least one night in the hospital because of it...

I would get it...

My son has received the rotavirus vaccine. It is a liquid they drink, I believe it is flavored. From what I understand, there is the possibility of them getting minor diarrhea/loose stools from it, but my son had no problems. He didn't even spit it out so it must have tasted pretty good. They gave it to him first, then the other vaccines (so he wouldn't be screaming and not able to swallow it). I recommend it, just for future health.

M.,

I don't know anything about a vaccine, but it makes sense as each time a person is exposed to it, they get it less severe. I DO, however, know about Rotavirus. Get the vaccine. Seriously, your baby does not need to violently throw up and have liquid diarrhea with severe cramps for three or four days! You can do without the cleanup and stench. Our extended family had a quite memorable Christmas two years ago during which the whole household sequentially got Rotavirus. I cannot remember when I have been so miserable.

Best wishes,
K.

Hi, M.. This vaccine wasn't offered when my children were infants, but I wish it was.

My youngest got Rotavirus when she was about 10 months old, and it was heartbreaking. My sunny little child was totally lethargic, and vomited for a full week. We were able to keep her hydrated, but it was a struggle.

My Pediatrician gave me some information on Rotavirus and about the vaccine after reading the information I decided to have my son get the vaccine. He did get it at the same time as the other vaccines. Maybe you should ask your pediatrician about the pros and cons if you are questioning the vaccine, they would be able to give you the most information.

Hello M.,

My Rachel got it when it was time. My Pediatrician had given it to all his children abd my sister-in-law gave it to all of her kids. All children are doing fine. I would still encourage you to read the information and make the decision that is best for you. Hope this helps.

Rachel's Mom

Hi M.,
I ended up declining the offer for the rotavirus vaccine. SInce it was so new I was worried. Needless to say my son at seven months ended up getting the virus, it was horrible I went to bed every night he was sick wishin I had him vaccinated. He threw up all day and night, had very bad diharrea, super high temp and so not himself. I felt so bad for him. Anyways my sister in law did get the vaccine and my nephew never got the virus or any bad side effects from him. My nephew did the vaccine along with his other shots. I will get my child vaccinated for sure. Hope this helps.

Well, my daughter wasn't offered it when she was born, and that was only 17 months ago and she got this virus at 2 months of age. It was AWFUL. I was so scared and she had to be rushed to the hospital twice. She had diarreah for over a week and we are talking about going from 1 dirty diaper a day to 10!! She also got a horrible diaper rash from it that lasted forever. She is fine now, but, if I had had the option back then, I would have gotten the shot. Just my opinion of course. I had it too a few years ago and I thought I was going to die. It was the worse illness I have ever had. Just to let you know, the virus is very common and it is easily picked up, and my daughter wasn't even around anyone at the time (wasn't in daycare, didn't go out much, none of us were sick etc.)

Hi M.,

I have a two year old and a 3 month old. My 2 year old didn't get it but at the babies 2 month appointment she was given 3 shots and the Rotavirus vaccine at the same time. The Rotavirus Vaccine was oral that she drinks. She didn't have any kind of reaction! My friend at works daughter got the virus a couple years ago and she was down and out for almost a month. She lost almost 5 pounds and for a 2 year old that only weighs 28 pounds was alot...it was horrible. So I think it is a good idea. My daughters are in Daycare and they said I absolute should give it to her...Hope that helps!

If you plan on having your child in daycare or at an in-home provider where he will be coming in contact with other children, then you may wish to investigate having him vaccinated. We knew our child would be going to daycare, so we opted to have him take it. It is administered orally and our child hasn't minded it one bit.

Some information about Rotavirus and the vaccine:

-infection with Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea, which can be accompanied by vomiting and fever (children could end up in the hospital due to dehydration and other potentially dangerous conditions)
-It is given in 3 doses, typically at months 2, 4 & 6
-Nearly all children in the US are infected with the virus before their 5th birthday. This doesn't mean that they will always show symptoms or become sick (how many times are you around someone who has a cold, but you don't get the cold).

You should also know that in the late 90s, a different version of the vaccine was used. It was associated with intussusception (bowel obstruction) and was pulled off the market. The new version has been tested with over 70,000 patients and no association was found.

In the US, Rotavirus is responsible for more than 400,000 doctor visits, 200,000 emergency room visits, and 55,000-70,000 hospitalizations each year.

Our pediatrician did not encourage or discourage us from making our decision; she just educated us on the virus and it's communicability.

You can obtain more information from the CDC's website: www.cdc.gov/nip (the information I posted in this reply was taken from the flyer given to me by my pediatrician: rotavirus 4/12/06)

Hi M.,

My son was offered this very same vaccine, after discussing and reading the information pamphlets given to my husband and I we decided to go ahead with the Rotavirus Vaccine. It is a 3 step procees and is a liquid that your infant will drink. So, no pricking with the needles..also, My son had absolutely no side affects to this vaccine...to none of his vaccinations thus far thank god. He is a healthly Almost 16 month old. So, I would say, with my experiance, go ahead..It is better to be safe than sorry....

My daughter was about 3 or 4 months when she received the vaccine. My almost 2 year old son at the time contracted the rotavirus at the end of February and we thought he was going to die. We ended up in Childrens Hospital for a day so they could monitor him and get fluids back in him. Apparently this virus is incredibly contagious and my son caught it from his ped's office. However b/c my daughter got the vaccine, she didn't get it all. Even though there was diarrhea literally everywhere for about 2 weeks. It's the worst infection i have ever encountered. IMO it's worth getting.
B.