Rotavirus Vaccine - Elkridge,MD

Updated on March 24, 2011
K.B. asks from Elkridge, MD
7 answers

my twins are 26 weeks. They were born at 38 weeks gestation. They got the Rotarix vaccine dose 1 at 13 weeks. My pediatrician didn't have any at our last appt, but said I could wait until our 6 mo. appt. I am reading though that the 2nd dose should be no later than 24 wks. (he STILL doesn't have any and is going to call me next week)

The alternative vaccine, RotaTeq is 3 doses and says that if Rotarix was used that you still need all 3 doses, and must be complete by 32 wks. I won't have time for that , unless the fact that they were born at 38 wks gestation buys me another 2 weeks.

I will ask my ped, but he has messed up the schedule, info and dosing thus far and I'm in the process of finding a new pediatirican. In the meantime I'm hoping to find out if anyone knows or experienced something similiar as my time window is short and I'm losing time waiting for Dr.'s to call me back, squeeze in an appt, etc.

THanks!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much everyone for your responses!!

I had wanted this vaccine because the thought of both twins getting sick with it at once sounded awful, and some of the kids we see are in playgroups or daycare and I figured odds were high that they'd be exposed. Unfortunately this proved to be true as my niece, who had just spent the day with my kids, came down with rotavirus hours after seeing them, and was very ill; the poor thing had to go to the ER to get rehydrated and was sick for several days. (thus my panicked frenzy for my own kids)

I actually think my kids may have gotten it, but perhaps because of having 1 dose of Rotarix had only a mild case? (not sure if it works that way or not) They had diarrhea 2 days after seeing their infected cousin, which is what the incubation period is. They seemed warm but didn't register fevers. Also my son was screaming all night Monday night, so we were sure it was related, but it turns out that his first tooth broke the gum that night. (we did give him teething gel and teethers as we quite literally tried everything to soothe him.) Other than an unusual amount of reflux in just my son, they seem fine now, Saturday. IN a way I hope it was rotavirus as that will further help their body make antibodies toward it since it doesn't look like they'll get the rest of the series.

I'm having trouble getting a new pediatrician who takes my insurance and can see them soon, For now we are still with the old one.

More Answers

L.L.

answers from Rochester on

I wouldn't be concerned that your little one didn't get this vaccine...it's not really a life or death thing, even if he does contract the virus. I am uncomfortable with this vaccine anyhow, because I have heard (maybe just rumors) that it has been linked to intussusception, which my youngest daughter just suffered. I don't know if they were linked, but still.

However, I would DEFINITELY be looking for a new pediatrician. I have never had my ped be "out of stock" of a vaccination that was needed...this reflects poor planning, in my opinion...they know how old their patients are, know when their vaccines are due, and ought to have enough on hand ahead of time. Especially if he has EVER messed up dosing ANYTHING! Scary! I hope you find someone new soon, but in the meantime, I wouldn't worry about it.

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S.H.

answers from Phoenix on

My ped won't give this vaccine anymore. Seen too many problems and not enough benefits. I would consider not getting anymore doses.

ETA: None of my kids received this vaccine. It was only available for my youngest one and it was too new of a vaccine for me to be comfortable with. When I told my ped I didn't want her to have it, that is when he told me they no longer give it.

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I.D.

answers from Miami on

hi

i dont know the exact answer, but my son was supposed to get his frist round of vaccines at 2 months and he got sick....so he got them at almost 3..the second round was at 4 but because he was already late he got them at 5 then he was going to get the third round (the one thats supposed to be at 6) at 8 and a half, almost 8 because he got sick again.

my ped is super strict with the vaccines, and he doesn't see a problem with my ds delayed schedule so your twins must be fine.

anyways, if i was you i would change ped asap in order to be on the safe side next time and also because not being prepared doesnt speak well of him

best luck

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L.R.

answers from Boston on

I wouldn't worry! At the time when the vaccine was released, my son could have had the vaccine. However, I decided against it because there wasn't any research done on it. Now, that research has been done, I had it with my second child. I wouldn't think it was a concern if he didn't get full dosage. My oldest child got the rotavirus and survived!

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H.N.

answers from Biloxi on

If you really want your babies to get it, try the local health department to see if they have it. My kids didnt get this on though... my youngest (1) and my oldest (5) just had the rotavirus 3 weeks ago. My baby was put in the hospital to get fluids cuz she got dehydrated but if you cant get the vaccine i wouldnt panic... it doesnt seem to be a life or death thing to have!

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S.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

2 of my children did not have a rotavirus vax. My oldest did not because it was recalled, and my youngest because the office missed his doses as well. They are both fine, my middle child who did have it has been neither more or less sick than her brothers. HTH

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S.R.

answers from El Paso on

it's not a big deal to miss out on this one. i got my daughter the 1st one, then we missed her next one. no one seemed to care. they didn't used to vaccinate against Rotavirus, and even if they DO get it, as long as you don't let them get dehydrated (the only reason there are issues) you don't need to worry about it. it is definitely NOT a "must have" vaccine.

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