Rotavirus Vaccine
Rotavirus is a common infectious agent associated with gastroenteritis in children which can lead to dehydration in babies. Death from rotavirus is very rare in Canada.
In a recent Canada Communicable Disease Report, we are told that, “the number of seizures reported among vaccine recipients was consistently higher than that reported among placebo recipients in each time interval after immunization.” For more details about the prevalence of the disease, please refer to the CCDR report, January 2008.
While rotavirus vaccine is not routinely given to Canadian babies yet, it’s inclusion in the infant vaccine schedule is being vigorously encouraged by numerous medical groups. The current vaccine, RotaTeq™ marketed by Merck Frosst Canada is a second generation vaccine, developed after the first version, RotaShield produced and marketed by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories was pulled from the market because of reports of bowel obstruction developing within weeks of vaccination. The Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) in the U.S revealed persistent reports of vomiting and diarrhea following receipt of rotavirus vaccine and a number of infant deaths.
Rarely mentioned is the importance of breastfeeding as an effective preventive of a wide range of gastrointestinal diseases in infants. Research over many decades has shown that formula fed babies are much more susceptible to severe gastrointestinal illnesses.
The Geier & Geier medical research team reported that “From February 3, 2006 through July 31, 2007, a total of 160 (of the 165 reported) intussusception and 11 (of the 16 reported) Kawasaki disease adverse event reports were identified when RotaTeq was administered or co-administered with other vaccines. Time-trend analyses showed that there were significant increases in the total number of intussusception and Kawasaki disease adverse events entered into VAERS [Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System] in comparison to previous years.”
Conclusions: “These observations, coupled with limited rotavirus disease burden, cost-effectiveness, and potential contact viral transmission concerns, raise serious questions regarding the use of RotaTeq in the US. Healthcare providers should diligently report adverse events following RotaTeq vaccination to VAERS….” (‘RotaTeq vaccine adverse events and policy considerations‘ by David A. Geier et al.)
Vaccination News Articles on Rotavirus