20/12/2024
Last night I went searching for when the rotovirus vaccine was introduced because I have been treating many babies with severe gut problems for the last few years but never before I moved the practice to Shankill.
Sure enough it was introduced Dec 2016 shortly after I moved my practice.
I found a lot more interesting facts which I believe every parent should know about this relatively new vaccine.
• Q when was rotavirus vaccine introduced
Rotarix™ vaccine was introduced in Ireland in December 2016 for all babies born from 1st
October 2016 onwards.
Rotarix™ is a live
attenuated monovalent vaccine.
So in 21 years I had never treated a case of rotovirus and now I’m treating the vaccine induced version all the time.
The symptoms vary but most seem to get vomiting and considerable discomfort with crying. Some go off their food and have constipation. One poor lad hadn’t eaten for 10 days and was extremely thin.
On examination I feel a deep twist in the intestine ,areas of the abdomen contracted and hard . And a very “scratchy “ feeling inside the gut.
I’m becoming so familiar with this pattern under my hands that I can recognize it in only a few minutes of treating.
My question is why do it?
Rotovirus is generally a mild disease in countries with high economic status and its seasonal in temperate climates .
Treatment is rehydration orally or through breastmilk
What kills rotavirus?
^
Oral rehydration therapy is the most effective treatment for rotavirus. There is no specific antiviral treatment available and antibiotics are not effective. Take or give plenty of fluids. Oral rehydration solution is highly recommended for children with mild to moderate dehydration and is available at pharmacies.
The original version of this vaccine was recalled because of the side effects .
When was rotavirus vaccine recalled?
^
In 1999, a highly efficacious rotavirus vaccine licensed in the United States, RotaShield, was withdrawn from the market after 14 months because of its association with intussusception.
Babies over 8 months cannot have this vaccine because of risk to intussusception
Intussusception
Intussusception is a medical condition in which a part of the intestine folds into the section immediately ahead of it. It typically involves the small intestine and less commonly the large intestine.
Symptoms include abdominal pain which may come and go, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and bloody stool. Wikipedia
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stool
Medication: Dexamethasone
This vaccine is no guarantee that your child won’t get the illness anyway
Can my child still get rotavirus if vaccinated?
^
Children, even those who are vaccinated, may get infected and sick from rotavirus more than once. That is because neither natural infection with rotavirus nor vaccination provides full protection from future infections. 22 Apr 2024
We are potentially spreading this virus around our family and communities
Can I catch rotavirus from my baby after a vaccine?
For a few weeks after being vaccinated, your baby's poo may contain a weakened version of rotavirus. Although the risk of getting ill from this is very small, it's a good idea to keep washing your hands regularly (especially after changing your baby's nappy).
Can I kiss my baby after rotavirus vaccine?
^
Can someone kiss an infant on the mouth after they have received Rotarix? No studies have investigated
transmission of vaccine virus from kissing a baby on the mouth after immunisation.
However, it is theoretically possible for a person to be exposed to weakened vaccine virus in this way.
I was going to write a list of pros and cons for rotavirus vaccine but I couldn’t find any pros.
It is my assertion that most of the children I’ve seen who have been given the rotovirus vaccine are suffering deep twisting of the intestines similar to intussusception and are in extreme discomfort . They are suffering unnecessarily for no gain to prevent a mild, treatable condition .
And pharma charge up to 100 euro a dose given to approximately 55,000 newborn children every year. That’s 5.5 million a year in Ireland alone.
GSK
Rotarix™M
Rotarix is a two-dose, orally-administered vaccine that offers protection against rotavirus to infants. Rotarix is indicated for the active immunisation of infants from the age of 6 weeks for prevention of gastro-enteritis due to rotavirus infection.
Worldwide Rotarix sales in 2009 were
£282million with US representing
£76million.
GlaxoSmithKline
Addendum
As if all that information wasn’t enough for you …….
Presence of material from another virus unintended for this vaccine has shown up in Rotarix
March 2010
GlaxoSmithKline statement on new information relating to manufacture of
Rotarix (rotavirus vaccine)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today confirmed that it has notified regulatory authorities of the presence of material from a virus called PCV-1 in its oral rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix. PCV-1 does not multiply in humans and is not known to cause illness in humans.1, 2. It is found in everyday meat products and is frequently eaten with no resulting disease or illness.
