Rotavirus vaccine now available to babies born on or after Nov. 1
Posted Jan 2, 2020 03:57:59 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The rotavirus vaccine is now available for babies born on or after Nov. 1, 2019.
On that date, the health department announced the vaccine would be added to the province's publicly funded program starting on Jan. 1.
“The vaccine is now in primary care providers' offices,” said Nova Scotia's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang.
“It's a reminder to parents with young infants … that they should be now talking to their primary care provider about the rotavirus vaccine along with other vaccines at that routine 2, 4 and 6 month immunization visit.”
He said the oral vaccine helps prevent the highly contagious and easily transmitted virus, which typically affects children between three and 24 months of age.
“Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of what we call gastroenteritis, so fever, vomiting and diarrhea,” Strang explained. “It's one of the leading causes of emergency room visits and hospitalizations in infants and young children.”
“That's the reason why we're now providing this vaccine. It will have a significant impact on decreasing the number of kids affected by rotavirus.”
Other vaccines given to children at two, four and six months of age include diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Haemophilus influenza type B.
Parents or guardians who want more information should talk to their health-care provider or contact a local public health office.
