3 month old starting vax...rotovirus?

[TX Mama]

We are getting ready to start our 13 week old on a selective schedule. We are def getting the DTaP as pertussis scares me and is prevalent right now. I am not so sure about rotovirus though. He is exclusively BF and does not go to day care. The thing that freaks me out about the vaccine is the use of monkey and cow cells. Any thoughts?

[LisaSedai]

As I understand it there are 2 vaccines out there for rotovirus, one was put on hold b/c it had DNA from a pig virus in it. THEN they found out there was DNA from 2 pig virus in the 2nd vaccine, but it was not put on hold. The 2nd pig virus causes wasting disease in piglets.

The FDA decided to go ahead and let babies get the vaccine b/c there is no data that shows the pig virus is harmful to humans.

I say to heck with that! Rotovirus causes diarrhea. Now if you live in a 3rd world country with no access to medical care I can see how this would be an issue. However, if worse comes to worse in the US baby can get IV fluids and is very unlikely to die of diarrhea.

[Jessnet]

Before making a decision, you should check with your pedi to even see if the rotavirus vaccines are available right now – You may not even be able to make a decision on it if you wanted to!

I know the FDA pulled at least one of the vaccines because of contamination back in March and were considering pulling the other. Then I heard they were thinking of reinstating the use of it, but I don’t know the outcome of the decision.

Maybe one of the other mamas here will have an updated version of the story.

edit: just realized another mama addressed the issue above

[TX Mama]

When I called to schedule they didn't say anything about it not being available. I had been going by the Vaccine Book which I know is not the be all, end all book but it is still pretty detailed with ingredients. Pig was not listed but monkey and cow were. Regardless of what animal it is, I'm still not keen on it. Good point about the availability of relief if he does get it.

[Ellien C]

oK - both my kids are fully-vaxed on-schedule and in day care starting at 6 months. Rotavirus was actually the ONE vaccine I declined. It was not offered to my first child over 5 years ago and I didn't see the need for it with second. I think it's only useful in the first 6 months of life. My physician had no issues with my declining that.

[Nicole730]

Our doctor said he doesn't "do" rotavirus, unless the parent requests it... So I definitely passed on that one.

[TX Mama]

Originally Posted by Nicole730

Our doctor said he doesn't "do" rotavirus, unless the parent requests it... So I definitely passed on that one.

I am pretty much decided no at this point. I will talk to my ped and get his opinion. I really like him thus far. He does circs in his practice but actually advises against them. I had one practice tell me they wouldn't see my son unless I got him vaccinated for hep b. What? Thanks for the input!

[Dixielane]

Hi Tx mama, I am also a Texas mama! Just wanted to say hello, and that... I am also skipping rotavirus, just because of what it is preventing, seems pointless since everyone gets diarrhea at some point!

I am also delaying, just not sure how yet. My DD is also coming on 13 weeks.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by TX Mama

When I called to schedule they didn't say anything about it not being available. I had been going by the Vaccine Book which I know is not the be all, end all book but it is still pretty detailed with ingredients. Pig was not listed but monkey and cow were. Regardless of what animal it is, I'm still not keen on it. Good point about the availability of relief if he does get it.

Just wanted to calrify this:
there are 2 rotavirus vaxes Rotarix http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_rotarix.pdf

The strains of rotavirus are isolated from humans and are grown on monkey kidney cells there is no bovine serum in this one.

and rotateq http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Biologi.../UCM142288.pdf

The strains in this one are isolated from humans and Cows. The cells are also grown on monkey kidney cells and there is featl bovine serum in this one. Fetal bovine serum comes from the blood drawn from a bovine fetus and is the portion of plasma remaining after coagulation of blood.

The reason there are no pig cells lsited is that they are not supposed to be there. The pig viruses (PCV1 and PCV2) were discovered as a contamination by an independent lab.

The best bet when deciding on if you want to give any vaccine is to read the package insert in detail and look up any ingredient or thing you are not farmiliar with.

[tzs]

Originally Posted by LisaSedai

I say to heck with that! Rotovirus causes diarrhea. Now if you live in a 3rd world country with no access to medical care I can see how this would be an issue. However, if worse comes to worse in the US baby can get IV fluids and is very unlikely to die of diarrhea.

same here!
i'm with you on the dtap. pertussis is the one vax i did at that age because of all the outbreaks and how scary it is in babes. and then we did polio because we were traveling otherwise i wouldn't have.

[Norasmomma]

My DS initially got the rotavirus vax, but got diarreha, (duh). Skipped after that. I'm not sure how much vax he even got since he spit most of it out.