The RotaTeq® vaccine, on the market since 2006, has led to an 80 to 100% drop in hospitalization and emergency room visits and may even prevent illness in unvaccinated kids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What Is Rotavirus?
Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe diarrhea, accompanied by vomiting and fever. It is the leading cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea among children and babies in the U.S. and worldwide and can result in hospitalizations and death due to dehydration. It is spread from person-to-person by the fecal-oral route when the virus is shed from the stools of infected people and contaminates hands and objects. Unlike most other infectious microbes, rotavirus is difficult to prevent, even with good hygiene and sanitation.
What Is the Rotavirus Vaccine?
The RotaTeq® (Merck) is a liquid vaccine that is swallowed, not injected. Three doses are necessary, recommended at two, four, and six months of age. The first dose should be given between 6 to 12 weeks of age, and the last dose should be given prior to 32 weeks of age.
Rotarix™ (GSK Biologicals) is another rotavirus vaccine approved by the FDA in 2008. It is also an oral vaccine, given in 2 doses.
How Effective is the Rotavirus Vaccine??
Very. An international study of 72,000 healthy infants across 11 countries showed that compared with placebo, the RotaTeq® vaccine prevented 74% of all cases of rotavirus and 98% of severe cases. Immunization also reduced the need for hospitalization from rotavirus by 86%. The study results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006.
Is it Safe? What Are the Possible Side Effects of the Rotavirus Vaccine?
Yes. The CDC states that the rotavirus vaccine is much safer than getting the disease. It is not known to cause any serious side effects, but some babies (1 to 3%) may have mild, temporary diarrhea, vomiting, or irritability. Serious allergic reactions may include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, increased heart beat or dizziness. If any of these symptoms occur, call your medical provider immediately and report the date and time of the occurrence, as well as the date of the vaccination.
Who Should Get the Rotavirus Vaccine?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the vaccine be included in national immunization programs in regions where the vaccine will have a significant impact on public health.
Who Should NOT Get the Vaccine?
- If your child has had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or any component of the vaccine (or latex), he or she should not get another dose.
- The vaccine should be postponed if your child is moderately or severely ill.
- Some babies with weakened immune systems (due to HIV, drug treatment, or cancers) should not get the vaccine. Talk to your medical provider to find out if your child should get the vaccine.
What Is Intussusception? Can My Child Get it From the Current Rotavirus Vaccines?
In 1999, the RotaShield® vaccine (also for rotavirus) was found to cause a rare type of bowel obstruction called intussusception. It occurs when one part of the intestine folds on to and blocks itself, causing inflammation, swelling, internal bleeding, damage to the intestines, and infection in the abdomen. Because of the risk for intussusception, Rotashield® vaccine was subsequently removed from the market.
Prior to FDA approval, the current RotaTeq® vaccine was evaluated for risk of intussusception in a study of 72,000 children, and the new vaccine was found to be safe, with no increased risk for intussusception. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (See above). However, because of the safety concerns with the earlier vaccine, RotaTeq® is being closely monitored by the CDC and FDA to ensure that there are no problems with the vaccine.
On February 15, 2007, the FDA issued a notice of 28 reports of intussusception after vaccination with the RotaTeq® vaccine. The notice was not issued as a warning against use of the vaccine, but rather as a reminder that this condition is a potential complication of the vaccine and should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).
Symptoms of intussusception include vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. If your child shows any of these symptoms following RotaTeq® vaccination, contact your pediatrician immediately.
sources:
FDA Issues Notice On RotaTeq Rotavirus Vaccine. Medical News Today. February 15, 2007.
Vaccines and Preventable Diseases: Rotavirus Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marchione M.Vaccine slashes diarrheal illness in kids. Associated Press. October 25, 2008.
Rotavirus Vaccines. Weekly Epidemiologic Record. World Health Organization. 2007; 82:285.
Vesikari et al. Safety and Efficacy of a Pentavalent Human–Bovine (WC3) Reassortant Rotavirus Vaccine. New England Journal of Medicine.2006; 354:23.
