KidsDreamWork

Read this shocking news and I think is good to share with all parents, about rotavirus vaccine.

The Rotarix Rotavirus vaccine by GlaxoSmithKline (approved by the FDA in 2008) is said to be contaminated with material from a pig virus. But good news is there is no evidence at this moment that this material poses a safety risks.

GlaxoSmithKline emphasized that the pig virus is not known to cause illness in humans, saying “it is found in everyday meat products and is frequently eaten with no resulting disease or illness.”

The suspension of used of Rotarix is currently applies only to the United States. Babies who have already received a dose of Rotarix should switch to the Merck product for the next two doses as suggest by the medical authority in the States. Merck’s RotaTeq (approved by the FDA in 2006) is another brand of the vaccine in the market besides Rotarix, and the preliminary testing of the Merck product has found no evidence of the contamination.

I just figured out that my younger boy was given the RotaTeq (my elder one didn’t get this vaccination as there was none when he was born), phew! Though it was said no need for alarm over Rotarix as there was no evidence that there is a risk to patients who have received this vaccine, but it is a relief to know that my boy was not given that!

Therefore if your baby is going to receive this vaccine, maybe you want to check it out with your pediatrician.

For detail information, you can refer to the following links:
CNN News on Rotavirus Vaccine
Statement from GSK
News on Today Online