not sure whether to give baby rotavirus vaccine

[Jhas]

Hi, DS1 is nearly two and so has not had the rotavirus vaccine as it was only introduced july 2013. DS2 however is now 12 weeks old and i refused the vaccine at the 8 week injection session as i was worried because it's new and sometimes side effects don't become apparent for years. I am still undecided and obviously the window of opportunity is fast closing. My doctor said the condition is not life threatening and really it is driven mainly by the government wanting to reduce the amount of sick days taken (paid for). Not sure i want to medicate my child with new drugs just because the government want to save cash, but would never forgive myself if somehow in the future this seriously harmed him. has anyone else had the same thoughts and if so what have you decided, and do you know any more than me?

30,000 children a year die of rotavirus. My DD had it and was hospitalised. It's horrid and debilitating. The vaccine is not new to most of the developed world, just new to the UK. If my DD were 12 weeks I would choose for her to have it.

Sorry, I should have typed 527,000 deaths.

Not meaning to drip feed but 15% of those deaths are in the developed world. It's really worth doing before the 15 week point.

It's no use if your baby is breastfed as there is a factor in breast milk which inactivates the virus - including the virus in the vaccine.

Rotavrus is really nasty.

Research has shown that there is a difference in efficacy in formula fed versus breast fed but its deemed very small and not enough to warrant not breast feeding or not administering the vaccine if you are breast feeding.

My ds needed to be hospitalised after a vomiting bug although not sure which one. He went down hill fast. I'd have it.

I understand your concerns about the long-term implications and I'm sure someone else will come along with ideas about how to reassure you. But rotavirus is absolutely horrible, we've been to A&E with it and I know other young children and babies who have been hospitalised. It's a nasty one and personally I would accept the vaccine.

When DS had Rotavirus at 10 months he had diarrhoea for 15 days. I only managed to keep him hydrated as I was breastfeeding him. I'd prevent that if I could - and DD will have the vaccine when she's the right age.

thanks for the input people. i think i shall let him have it then. strange that my doc said it wasn't life threatening tho.

I am fast discovering that GPs are exactly that, general. They don't know everything and its a shame when some make stuff up rather than say they don't know instead of looking it up. The WHO is a good online and accurate resource for vaccine info. Good luck OP. xx

Sorry those xx's were very unmumsnetty!

thanks...all very helpful