can i refuse rotavirus vaccine ?

[lozzy21]

I had rotavirus as a kid and was hospitalized for a week, was very ill and it was pretty scary for my parents so I opted to get the vac for my LO last week. He didn't seem to have any bad side effects other than being extra sleepy and a little grumpy. He did have 4 shots that visit so I probably wouldn't have known the culprit if he did have a reaction. BUT, you should do what feels right to you. I'm not sure how common the virus is these days, I've never heard of anyone I know having it.

I had it as a child too and spent three weeks in isolation with only my mam allowed in.

OP I'm all for delaying vaccines especially with reasons like yours but it would be one I would do at a later date.

 

[staralfur]

My LO had the vaccine to stop the spread of stomach bugs. I'm not worried about him having a bug as he was term and is very healthy, but some people aren't. I wish people would be more altruistic when thinking of vaccinating and less insular. If it gives your baby an upset stomach it'll be VERY short term. In fact, my LO didn't react at all to the vaccine. My thinking is why would the medical community offer a vaccine on the NHS if it wasn't so beneficial to public health that it became cost effective.

Right... like the OP's child. She specified in the original post that her LO was 6 weeks premature. A perfectly valid reason to question which vaccines to give at eight weeks, I think.

 

[HKateH]

Questioning the timing of vaccines is completely different to refusing them.

 

[Noo]

Before July NO babies in the UK got it. I think its understandable for people to be wary of it. Especially those with other kids who didn't have it. As previously said. We had first dose & refused second as they couldn't guarantee it was egg and lactose free after a bad reaction to the first. Some people choose not to vax at all and although I do - That is their choice to make.

 

[Glitter_berry]

I can't believe its only been available since July in the UK.

I thought immunisations were standard world wide.
One thing this forum is great for is learning the way different parts of the world does things.

 

[TMonster]

According to my pediatrician, how your lo may react to the vaccine may be different each time. So, if the first time was easy the second time may be fussy etc. He insists there is no correlation between side effects they experienced the first time to any they may experience the second time.

From my understanding its particularly important for preemies to get their vaccines because they are more fragile but as far as the timing, I have no clue.

I know that I am particularly careful about not keeping Zoe around kids who didn't get vaccinated because with her heart condition she is also particularly vulnerable and something as simple as chicken pox could potentially kill her so personally I prefer not to take any chances but respect everyone's right to do what they feel is best for their family.

 

[summer rain]

I am delaying vaccines with my youngest in general as two of mine had a very bad reaction to the 8 week 5-in-1 jab, in one of my boys that did cause an upset tummy but it wasn't minor, he had constant diarrhoea for 8 weeks, only gained 8oz in that time which he then lost in a week, he was starting to get dehydrated as well. My other boy who was affected his digestion seemed fine but he stopped being able to absorb fats and nutrients properly and went from the top of all the growth charts to near the bottom. Mine have had noro but I don't believe any of them have had rotavirus, so it seems for us the benefit is outweighed by the risks. There are loads of bugs that can cause severe stomach upset and very few of them can be vaccinated against. Xx

 

[sunnylove]

My LO actually couldn't get the rotovirus vaccine. They don't give the vaccine in the NICU at all since it's live, but they can't give it to a child older than like 15 weeks, I think. And my LO was in the NICU for 15 weeks so he couldn't get it.

Don't get anything you're not comfortable with; it's your child. When they wanted to vaccinate my preemie when he was just 34 weeks gestation, I said no and we are currently still delaying any vaccines and I have that right and am proud of the decision

 

[Moomette]

Hmm, that's interesting that they're doing it as standard now in the UK (and US and Australia by the looks of this thread). Here in NZ it has been available privately (for about $130 I believe?) as an extra oral vaccine for at least the last nearly three years that I've been here, but as far as I'm aware, most people don't get it for their babies, myself included. Though my sister did get it for her LO this year and had no problems, but it's all down to personal choice and what you feel is right for your family.

 

[sopho30]

I didnt get the vaccine, he had the others apart from that..with it being a live vaccine and him only being officially 2 weeks i declined. I had done alot of reading around teh subject and been on the nice guidelines website. So i made an informed choice.the nurse said she understood and said i can take him anytime up to 16 weeks if i changed my mind.. I dont regret this decision.. he has been unwell since his needles, vomiting, and high temp...Lots of diarrhea too ... poor baba been up all night crying... thank you for all your replies and advice... Good to get all different views x we all do what we think is best for our children, no right or wrong answers....

 

[kirstybumx3]

glad you came to a decision and the nurse was ok with it
hope your LO is better soon. much better to be vaccinated and be ill for a day or two though, mummys cuddles will make him better
rio was very poorly after his first lot, he was actually hospitalised, but the 2nd and 3rd he was completely fine xx

 

[overcomer79]

Neither one of mine have been ill from it. They have been vaccinating against it for around five years (my four year old was vax'ed).

 

[Elmo5]

We opted out.

a) As he is breastfed he is at lower risk of gastroenteritis
b) It is a live virus so we were all at risk of getting it especially the toddler whom has never had D&V. Especially as this little man doesnt seem to be able to contain himself in his nappies.
c) The worst I could find is in very severe cases they will be hospitalised for dehydration and be treated for that.
d) It is a fairly new vaccine.

With all the above I found that they outweighed the side effects which include intussusception.

 

[alicecooper]

Yes you can refuse it. I did. Nathan has not had it.