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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which counsels the U.S. government, is recommending that all infants be given a new vaccine that protects against rotavirus – a common and sometimes life-threatening childhood ailment.

What many pediatricians diagnose to parents as “stomach flu” is often caused by rotavirus.

“It’s very contagious,” says Dr. Vivian Lennon, Medical Director for Primary Care at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “So once one child in a daycare center or any sort of childcare center has it, others will catch it very easily.”

Rotavirus causes severe vomiting and diarrhea – which can leave an infant or toddler dangerously dehydrated.

In the U.S., it sends 200-thousand kids to the emergency room each year, and causes another 55-thousand children to be hospitalized.

But, says Dr. Lennon, “now that we have a vaccine for rotavirus, it’s a preventable childhood disease.”

The federal advisory panel is recommending infants get three doses of the new vaccine orally, at two, four and six months of age.

According to Dr. Umesh Parashar, with the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the new vaccine “ essentially produces an immune response, or an anti-body response, in the child’s bowel – which would prevent against infection and disease caused by… rotavirus.”

Several years ago, a similar drug was taken off the market because of a rare and potentially dangerous side effect.

But experts say the new vaccine has been successfully tested on about 70-thousand babies in 11 countries.

The vaccine’s developer is expected to charge nearly 190 dollars for the three-dose series, making the drug one of the most expensive childhood vaccines ever sold.

The real test, meanwhile, will be with parents.

“I’d been interested to hear what my pediatrician recommends,” says Jennifer Maddox. “I mean, if he thinks that it’s something that would be very helpful, then I would probably go ahead and vaccinate the children.”

“Any kind of vaccine that would help your child get better, or make sure they don’t get some kind of stomach virus, is probably a good thing,” says Rahul Kamani.

What We Need To Know

• Rotavirus is commonly spread by hand-to-mouth contact. Children and their caregivers should wash their hands frequently, especially after eating and using the toilet, to limit the spread of rotavirus infection. (kidshealth.org)




• Rotavirus symptoms appear about one-to-three days after exposure, and usually last four-to-eight days. Symptoms include vomiting, stomach cramps, and watery diarrhea. Other symptoms, such as dry lips and tongue, sunken eyes and dry skin, indicate dehydration. (Institute of Biomedical Science)




• If your child has the symptoms of rotavirus, watch for signs of more severe dehydration and get medical help as soon as possible. (The Rehydration Project)

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention




• U.S. Food and Drug Administration




• World Health Organization

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