The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ended its long-standing, universal recommendation that all kids receive the rotavirus vaccine, switching to a “shared clinical decision making” approach. Many physicians worry this major policy shift – among other HHS changes – will discourage parents from getting their child the vaccine, allowing the virus to resurge. Before the vaccine was introduced in 2006, rotavirus hospitalized 70,000 American children per year. Since the vaccine has become widespread, it has reduced hospitalizations by 80 percent. The ending of the universal recommendation makes the US the odd country out among more than 130 nations which recommend the shot for all children.
Rotavirus can cause children to quickly become dehydrated because of vomiting, diarrhea and fever. At that point, parents struggle to replenish the fluids, requiring the child to receive intravenous fluids at the hospital.
Full Story: MedPageToday, STAT
