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Immunisation Month - Beating The Virus

Bass Coast Shire Council is now able to provide a rotavirus vaccine for babies born after 1 May 2007.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 26th October 2007 - Back to News

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children in Australia.

Council’s Environmental Health Officer, Carl Gheller said children can be infected by the virus a number of times during their lives.

"Unfortunately the virus is easily spread from one child to the next," said Mr Gheller.

"Almost every child will suffer at least one infection by the age of three years," said Mr Gheller.

Symptoms range from mild, watery diarrhoea to severe, dehydrating diarrhoea with vomiting, fever and shock.

"Rotavirus infections are often more severe than other causes of diarrhoea," explained Mr Gheller.

"There is a great chance of dehydration and children may require treatment in hospital."

The national immunisation program has recently been extended to include the provision of a rotavirus vaccine.

It is estimated that in Australian children under five years of age, there are approximately 10,000 hospitalisations, 155,000 GP visits, 22,000 emergency department visits and one death due to rotavirus each year.

"It’s obviously better to try and prevent this kind of illness through immunisation," said Mr Gheller.

"It is going to be better for the child and saves parents from a lot of anxiety."

Mr Ghellar said an oral vaccine has been released for use in Victoria and is the best way to protect infants and children against rotavirus disease.

"The vaccine will not prevent diarrhoea and vomiting caused by other infections, but it will prevent severe diarrhoea and vomiting caused by rotavirus," explained Mr Ghellar.

The vaccination program consists of three oral doses at two, four and six months of age. The first dose should not be given any later than 12 weeks of age and the third dose should be given by 32 weeks of age.

Rotavirus vaccinations are available at Council immunisation sessions or from your local doctor.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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