Should we get the Rotavirus vaccine for our baby? She is not in daycare, and is a very treatable disease.?

Question

We have done exhaustive research on the matter and the only thing that is stopping us is that 1) in the original testing, 1 out of 1300 children suffered a seizure, double the amount of babies given the placebo, where 1 in 2600 approx. had seizures. So very high for most vaccines. And 2) our baby is not in daycare, where the sickness usually starts. However my wife is a school teacher and adults/older children certainly can carry the sickness and pass it around though it is not as serious for people after 6 mos. to a year.

We do not want to be foolish, but we do not want to put our child in any unneccessary harm, when it is more unlikely that she will get the virus before 6 months, and if she does, it is quite curable and treatable.

We are getting the DTap today for sure, but we may not get the Rotavirus. Any thoughts? People been in this situation before? Thanks.

Answer 1

I didnt. The reason rotovirus is fatal in some babies is because the parents were not watching for signs of dehydration. If you dont get the vaccine, make sure all family members (especially children) wash hands after every potty. Make sure NO ONE touches the baby's hands because he puts them in his mouth. You can get those little hand covers for him. Most of all, make sure your baby is getting enough wet diapers every day so that you know he is not dehydrated.

I don't think rotavirus is necessary. Most of the vaccines do more harm than good. Kudos to you for doing your research.

Answer 2

In the county (in Indiana) where I live, they don't give the Rota vax unless you are putting the baby in daycare or the like.  Since my guy goes to neither daycare nor the church nursery, they wouldn't give the vaccine as it is deemed unnecessary.

Answer 3

This is what happens when you don't vaccinate your children:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080821/ap_o...

Answer 4

Roto is treatable without the vax.

My daughter actually came down with a mild case of roto after she got the oral vax.  

Answer 5

It's a new vaccine and you are right, it's a fairly common and treatable virus. The vaccine is tolerated pretty well , and parents like that it's in a liquid , drinkable version vs. as a shot. In some cases, the vaccine can cause a little stomach upset. Not because the child actually get the rota virus, but because it can interrupt normal digestion for a day or two. Some who do have mild side effects get fussy and others don't eat as well that day, some get diarrhea.  

I am a pediatric nurse and I haven't heard many complaints about it but my little girl gets diarrhea every time she has gotten it.

It's not required and if your child isn't in daycare and you are watchful of any little viruses, it's probably ok to skip in your situation although there's still a chance your child will get the virus. I would still advise you to speak with your doctor about it , since your doctor will have a better idea of your families situation.

Answer 6

We haven't gotten ANY vaccines yet.

We read a book called "What your doctor doesn't tell you about vaccines" and it provided a lot of information that I had no idea beforehand. It doesn't say DON'T do it - it just says BE EDUCATED about what exactly is IN the vaccines that you put in your child. And CHoose when it is that you want to give it to them. Ask what brand of the vaccine your doctor is using and Research it before you do it.

We will get only the ones you absolutely have to get in order to go into school and we will do so as late as possible so that our son has a chance to develop his immune system naturally.  We will weight the risks - is it deadly, how common is it etc. I wish we didn't have to get DTAP three at once it too many... spread them out and take your time.

Drug companies want to make money so they sell you the idea that you should get these things and use these pills etc. They do not exist for our well-being. The sicker we are, the richer they get - consider it.

Answer 7

I would def. get it.  My friends Son got it, and he was never in Day Care.  Yes it is treatable if you catch it in time, but kids still die from it more each year.  I would get all vaccines just in case.

Answer 8

2.7 million cases of severe gastroenteritis per year in children in the US? (Wikipedia)

That sounds like a pretty high risk of your child getting something that, while probably not fatal, would be deeply unpleasant.

I'd do it.

And please, people, before you jump on the "oh single vaccines are so much nicer for the baby's immune system" bandwagon, take a look at the research that has been done on the effectiveness and safety of single vaccines in very young children. You'll be looking for a long time. There isn't any. It's beyond belief to me that people will refuse to give their kids highly tested multiple vaccines because they might not be perfectly safe, and instead give them treatment that nobody has the faintest idea whether it's safe for their agegroup!

And your baby's immune system does not "mature". It develops by fighting off things it encounters. That involves you, as a responsible parent, giving it things to fight off which will develop it in the right way. How do you do this? VACCINES. That's what vaccines ARE.

Answer 9

With your wife being a teacher, I would go ahead and get it. Our son went through the whole course of rotavirus vaccines with no problems, although one anecdotal example from me isn't probably that compelling.

I see rotavirus as similar to getting a flu shot.  It's not in the same category as other vaccines like DTaP and MMR that to me are a no-brainer, but it's a good preventive measure to keep your baby healthy.  Rotavirus is treatable but very unpleasant and a quick road to scary dehydration.

My $0.02....