Rotavirus vaccine: Why is this important for your baby?

The biggest fear for a mother or father with a newborn baby is that their child will get sick. Imagine, your little baby suddenly starts vomiting with a fever and has a watery stomach. The fear you feel when your baby dies without even drinking a bit of milk is indescribable. Today we are talking about a virus that can cause severe stomach upsets, especially for young children. That is the rotavirus. But don't worry, there is now a very effective vaccine that can protect our children from this dangerous disease.

What exactly is Rotavirus?

Simply put, rotavirus is a virus that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting in young children. More specifically, it causes acute gastroenteritis. The virus gets its name because it looks like a wheel under a microscope. Like a wheel, this virus spreads very quickly from one child to another within the community.

Before the introduction of this vaccine, rotavirus was a leading cause of death in young children worldwide. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of children under the age of 5 died from it every year. The main reason for this is the severe dehydration caused by the virus. This means that the body loses water.

The virus is present in the feces of an infected person. The virus can survive on any surface, such as toys, doorknobs, or on hands for a long time. Young children can easily catch the disease when they touch a contaminated surface and put their hands in their mouths. This is especially true in places like daycare centers and hospitals. It can also be spread by people who don't wash their hands properly after changing a child's diaper.

How is this vaccine given?

This is not a shot like other vaccines. This is an oral vaccine . So there is no reason to worry about the baby getting hurt. Currently, there are two main types of vaccines.

Your doctor will determine the most appropriate vaccine and number of doses for your child. This vaccine can be given on the same days as your child's regular vaccinations, along with other vaccines.

How effective is the rotavirus vaccine?

Research has shown that this vaccine can prevent about 74% of rotavirus infections. That means that out of 100 children who get the vaccine, 74 will not get the disease.

But there is something even more important. This vaccine prevents serious illness by about 98% . It also reduces the risk of hospitalization due to rotavirus by 96%. Simply put, if your baby gets the vaccine, it is less likely that it will be severe, dehydrated and require hospitalization in the Emergency Department (ETU) . This is the greatest value of this vaccine.

Is this vaccine really safe?

Yes, this is a question that many parents have. The rotavirus vaccine currently in use was tested on more than 70,000 children before it was approved. All of those tests have confirmed that the vaccine is very safe.

There used to be another vaccine called `(RotaShield)`. But it was taken off the market because it was found to slightly increase the risk of a rare condition called `(Intussusception).` (Intussusception)` is when part of the intestine gets stuck inside another part, causing a blockage in the intestines.

Are there any children who should not be given the rotavirus vaccine?

Yes, there are some special cases where this vaccine is not appropriate. In such cases, you should definitely talk to your doctor .

• A child who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine will not be given this vaccine again.
• If the child has another moderate or severe illness (e.g., high fever, runny nose) on the day the vaccine is due, it is best to wait until the child is completely recovered before giving the vaccine.
• The child's immune system is weakened.If you have any, you should inform your doctor before getting vaccinated. Some of the reasons why your immune system may be weakened include:
• Diseases that affect the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS.
• Long-term use of medications such as steroids.
• If you have cancer or are receiving cancer treatments (X-rays or medication).

What are the side effects of the vaccine?

Like any vaccine, this one can cause minor side effects, but the majority of children do not experience any side effects.

However, in very rare cases, a severe allergic reaction may occur. This is very rare. If this happens, the following symptoms may appear:

If you see any of these symptoms, you should immediately take your child to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . But again, the chances of something like this happening are very, very low.

Often, only temporary, minor side effects are seen.

These things usually subside within a day or two. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your family doctor.