Your child should get the rota vaccine to protect unvaxxed adults

[kathymuggle]

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130128/Rotavirus-vaccination-in-children-impacts-on-adults.aspx

and,,,,faceplant!

I will rant more against the article later, have to go  to work…..

Edited by kathymuggle - 2/2/13 at 9:26am

[nia82]

Oh boy. They don't even know how long the vaccine lasts, so for all I know there will be huge rota outbreaks among teenagers in years to come....

[ma2two]

Wow. I would never ask that any baby be vaccinated so that I wouldn't get rotavirus. I probably already had it as a baby, anyway.

And the vaccine sheds, so if I weren't already immune, I think I would be more likely to get rotavirus while taking care of a recently vaccinated baby.

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by ma2two 

Wow. I would never ask that any baby be vaccinated so that I wouldn't get rotavirus. I probably already had it as a baby, anyway.

That is what I was thinking.  I also thought the science around suggesting children should be vaccinated to protects adults was shaky, at best.

"the prevalence of rotavirus in US adults during the peak rotavirus season has declined by almost 50% during 2008-2010 compared with 2006-2007, the period immediately before the reintroduction of pediatric rotavirus vaccination in 2008.

Anderson and team found that the prevalence of rotavirus among bacterial stool cultures (BSCs) from 3530 adults who submitted samples from February through May (peak rotavirus season) between 2006 and 2007 was 4.35%. This compared with a prevalence of 2.24% in BSC samples submitted by adults during the peak season between 2008 and 2010, a significant 48.40% decline.

The prevalence of rotavirus in BSCs rose from 2.15% in 2008 to 2.67% in 2009, and then fell to its lowest in 2010, at 1.88%."

This does not mean rota fell among the general adult population from 4 to 2%.  It meant that among those who had stool samples submitted because they were already sick with diarrhea, 4% had rota detected in the stool prevaccine era and around 2% had it post vaccine era.

A further link on this  http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/vaccine-preventable-diseases/news/online/%7BA94A7A7C-36DA-4D8F-A729-DCF5FA976AF4%7D/Rotavirus-vaccination-among-children-indirectly-protected-adults-from-rotavirus

Moreover the study only looked at 2 years post vaccine (and 2 years pre) - a few more years might be necessary before people draw conclusions.  

I do not know if rota has the potential to morph or if it has worse seasons than others - but 2 years of data is hardly conclusive.

And last, but hardly least, the second article stated this at the bottom:

"Disclosure: The researchers reported consulting relationships, honoraria and advisory board positions with GlaxoSmithKline, Medscape, Merck and Theradoc."

I hope they don't try to push rota on people on the basis of this study.

Edited by kathymuggle - 2/2/13 at 8:51pm

[serenbat]

Quote:

I hope they don't try to push rota on people on the basis of this study.

I feel it will be more - Can you make money off it?

[sassyfirechick]

Ok that is just rediculous.  My DD reacted horribly to the rotateq oral vax at 2mos - so bad that without hesitation it was the first vax I refused at the following visit.  The amount of diarrhea, vomiting, and intestinal distress that poor child had immediately following the rotateq (all common side effects to the vax btw) made me wonder how in the world the actual virus could be any worse.

And let's be realistic about transmission - stool to mouth - unless you eat poo it is highly unlikely to be transmitted anyhow - even changing dirty diapers.  To put into perspective, dogs who frequent or live in rural areas and drink from contaminated water sources are highly likely to get giardia at least once in their lifetime.  It's not fun to have dogs with the runs, but not the end of the world either.  It can be spread to humans via same transmission as rotavirus.  My dogs have had giardia numerous times.  They do not partake in coporophagia (poo eating) but they do lick themselves clean and they do love to give us kisses - on the mouth.  In 10 years of dog training, shelter work, and owning dogs who have had giardia - I've never gottten it.  So rota isn't even on my radar to watch out for.

[Jennyanydots]

I've heard so many bad reaction stories about rotavirus vax, I can't believe it's being given as part of the standard schedule. And this "vax your kid to protect adults" thing is really taking the social guilt trip too far. I guess it's the best trick they've got, though.

[inconditus]

Originally Posted by serenbat 

I feel it will be more - Can you make money off it?

I agree with this. 

[tm0sweet]

Originally Posted by sassyfirechick 

And let's be realistic about transmission - stool to mouth - unless you eat poo it is highly unlikely to be transmitted anyhow - even changing dirty diapers.

I respectfully disagree. Have you ever seen a study on the amount of fecal matter that lingers in the air? Or settles on surfaces that we then touch and then bring our contaminated hand to our mouth. Stomach viruses are so highly contagious because of this. Sorry, I can't think of a source for this right now, but the MythBusters episode where they test for fecal matter on toothbrushes does come to mind.

Last year DS1 caught a horrible stomach bug from the ped office (from rota vax shedding perhaps?) despite meticulous hygiene, the whole family had it within a week. It was miserable but we stayed hydrated and were fine.

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by Jennyanydots 

I guess it's the best trick they've got, though.

Do you think it will work?  Most adults are not afraid of getting diarrhea.  If they cannot convince most adults that rota is dreadful and common in adults (ha!) I am sure it is going to be "get your baby rota for the elderly or immunocompromised…"

The thing is, and while I do not know any immunocompromised people, I do know elderly people and none of them have ever said "get the xyz vaccine so I do not get the disease!".  The whole debate is fueled by several factions, and one of them is mommy-war.

[sassyfirechick]

Originally Posted by tm0sweet 

... but the MythBusters episode where they test for fecal matter on toothbrushes does come to mind.

Last year DS1 caught a horrible stomach bug from the ped office (from rota vax shedding perhaps?) despite meticulous hygiene, the whole family had it within a week. It was miserable but we stayed hydrated and were fine.

I do think I saw that one, but I never flush an open toilet nor do our toothbrushes sit out.  I dunno, maybe I have an iron stomache bc I can't say I'm all that meticulous about hand washing (I do it, just not for any crazy length of time) and I'm a nail biter - that always grossed out co-workers when I worked in an animal shelter!