2007 News
February 22, 2007
Bucks County Health Department Continues Administration of RotaTeq Vaccine
In response to recent questions about the safety of administering the new vaccine called RotaTeq to infants to prevent diarrhea, and its association with intussuception (bowel blockage), Bucks County Health Dept. Director Dr. Eleanor M. Travers has issued recommendations for administration of the vaccine. The recommendations are consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Dept. of Health (PA DOH) guidelines, and form the basis for the health department’s continued administration of the vaccine.
“RotaTeq is used to protect infants from the leading cause of diarrhea in infants and young children (Rotavirus) that may cause death," Dr. Travers explained, citing her department's close collaboration with the national CDC in Atlanta and the PA DOH. As a service to county residents, Travers provided the following list of answers to frequently asked questions about Rotavirus and RotaTeq vaccine:
Q: What is intussusception?
A: Intussusception is a blockage of the bowel.
Q: Are there more cases of bowel blockages after the RotaTeq vaccine is given?
A: No. According to information released by the CDC, there are no more cases of intussuception reported to date after the RotaTeq vaccine was given, than in children who did not receive the vaccine.
Q: Has the Bucks County Health Department reported any cases in the county?
A: There have been no reported cases in Bucks County to date.
Q: Are the CDC or PA DOH changing their policies on administering the vaccine?
A: The CDC and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are not changing their policy at this time.
Q: Will the Bucks County Department of Health stop administering RotaTeq vaccine?
A: No. There is no reason for Bucks County to stop giving the RotaTeq vaccine, and the director of the Bucks County Health Department encourages all parents of infants 6-32 weeks of age to get the RotaTeq vaccination. This is because studies indicate that RotaTeq will prevent about 74 percent of all Rotavirus cases and about 98 percent of the most severe cases, including those that require hospitalization. The Bucks County Health Department encourages parents to speak with a health care provider before deciding on any vaccine regimen for their children, and assures parents that there are monitoring systems in place at national, state and local levels of all new vaccines released for administration.