Rotavirus vaccine - necessary?

[NichyNoo]

My 6 week old DS is due his first round of vaccinations in 2 weeks (we live in Belgium). The doctor has recommended that he has an oral vaccination for the rotavirus at the same time. It is not obligatory here but recommended for newborns. The vaccine used is Rotarix.

I have done some Internet research and it seems it is a new vaccine. Does anyone have any reliable data on whether the vaccination is necessary and if there are any known dangers? The doctor said it is safe but I am a bit wary as it is a new vaccine.

Thanks for any advice.

We don't have it in the UK...yet! TBH it seems a bit unnecessary really. From the NHS website:

"Most cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children are mild and normally pass within five to seven days, without the need for medical treatment. "

Surely there are a number of D&v bugs out there so vaxing against one seems a bit pointless. As long as you watch out for dehydration, I don't think I would worry too much. Are you breastfeeding?

Hi,

yes, it's available in the UK, my DS also had rotarix at the appropriate times when he was a baby. You can order it through your GP's surgery.

Through experience with my two children, one who wasn't and one who was vaccinated against the rota virus...the virus doesn't usually escape DS, but I must say that his symptoms are much much milder than DD's and he always recovers from it much quicker than everyone else around him.

I'd love to see the rota virus vaccination introduced to the UK. We spent a harrowing three nights in hospital with our wee one on a drip when he caught it on holiday. There were another three or four toddlers in at the same time as him. Not pleasant at all.

DD nearly died of rotavirus. But I would still refuse the vax. It is very very rarely fatal and only very occasionally needs hospitalisation.

I make vacc decisions based on liklihood of infection plus liklihood of very serious outcome - so mumps, chicken pox, rotavirus etc etc = no