Rotavirus vaccine available to babies, By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer

Parents of newborn to 8-month-old infants should discuss an available rotavirus vaccine with their doctors, says Nancy Lee, Koochiching County public health nurse.
Rotavirus is a common virus that most children contract by age 3 but which sometimes leads to severe illness due to dehydration in their small bodies. The dehydration is due to the rapid loss of fluids caused by the diarrhea and vomiting that occur with rotavirus infections.
The oral vaccine is given at 2 months, 4 months, and six months of age, and can be given at the same time as other vaccinations.
Lee said that the rotavirus preventative should be discussed by parents with their infant’s physician. She added that all vaccinations contain risks which should be part of the discussion.
The vaccination is recommended by the Center for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health, according to Lee. It’s component is the rotavirus organism and it was first made available in February of 2006.
The county health department offers the vaccine and more information is available by calling Lee at 283-7070.
Rotavirus is highly contagious and difficult to avoid. The illness peaks in the northern United States throughout the spring season. As with all diseases, there are varying degrees of severity with rotavirus.
Fastidious hand washing routines and cross-contamination precautions are instrumental in preventing the spread of the virus, which is passed on by coming in contact with surfaces which are contaminated by the stool of an infected person.