Is the rotavirus vaccine safe?
A new rotavirus vaccine was recommended for use in February 2006. This vaccine was tested in more than 70,000 infants. About half of the children received vaccine and the other half received a salt water solution. This large study showed the vaccine to be safe. Children who received the vaccine were not more likely to experience vomiting, diarrhea, fever, irritability or poor feeding than children who did not receive the vaccine.
A new rotavirus vaccine was recommended for use in February 2006. This vaccine was tested in more than 70,000 infants. About half of the children received vaccine and the other half received a salt water solution. This large study showed the vaccine to be safe. Children who received the vaccine were not more likely to experience vomiting, diarrhea, fever, irritability or poor feeding than children who did not receive the vaccine. The first rotavirus vaccine was withdrawn from use because of a problem with safety. The vaccine was found to cause a rare, but potentially very serious, side effect called intussusception. Intussusception occurs when one section of the small intestine folds into another section of the intestine. When this happens, the intestine can become blocked. Intussusception is a medical emergency, and children can die from the disease. The rotavirus vaccine was given to about 1 million children in the United States between 1998 and 1999. About one of every 10,000 childr
