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Rotavirus Vaccine Side Effects

The rotavirus vaccine prevents a viral infection that causes high fever, persistent and severe vomiting, and diarrhea. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approved the vaccine in 2006 to be administered to babies in three doses by six months of age. There are very few side effects.

  1. Most Likely Effects

    • Some babies are slightly more irritable after the vaccine, and some may have mild, short-term diarrhea or vomiting.

    Caution

    • Babies who are sick or have immune system problems, or who will be around people with immune system issues, should not get the vaccine until the problem is resolved.

    No Serious Reactions

    • According to the CDC, no serious reactions have been reported from the rotavirus vaccine.

    Potential for Reactions

    • Because the vaccine is relatively new, it is possible that a rare allergic reaction could occur that has not yet been documented. Serious reactions to this vaccination could involve rash or hives, facial or mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and high fever.

    Previous Vaccine

    • A previous rotavirus vaccine was withdrawn in 1999 because it caused a rare form of intestinal blockage.

    Significance

    • According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, before the rotavirus vaccine was available, each year rotavirus caused 2.7 million children in the U.S. to become ill and 20 to 60 deaths.

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