Vaccination Announcement

We at SEIMC have suspended the use of Rotarix vaccine after the 22 March 2010 news release by the US FDA about contamination of the vaccine with DNA from a porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1). (http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm205625.htm)

Rotarix is manufactured by Glaxo-Smith-Kline and has been used through the world since 2006 as an oral vaccine against rotaviral disease.Rotavirus can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children.

Please know that presently there is no evidence that the vaccine poses a safety risk to your child. The PCV1 virus does not cause illness in humans or other animals.The expert panel advisory comittee of the US FDA will be making additional recommendations in another 4 to 6 weeks. Until more information becomes available as a precautionary measure we will be offering Rotateq (manufactured by MERCK) for all vaccination against Rotaviral disease. Rotateq is given in 3 doses and hence the course costs more than rotarix vaccine. We will call you individually to discuss the alternative arrangements with you.

The REDBOOK* (a publication of the American academy of Pediatrics) has posted the following notice online.
• Special Alert: FDA Suspends Use of Rotarix Vaccine Posted 3/23/10
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has temporarily suspended use of the Rotarix vaccine for rotavirus immunization in the United States. An independent research team has found DNA from a porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1) in the vaccine, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. PCV1 has not been found to cause illness in humans or animals, and there is no evidence at this time that this finding poses a safety risk. The FDA is recommending that practices temporarily suspend the use of Rotarix while further studies are conducted. Providers are advised to retain their current vaccine supplies until the FDA's expert advisory committee makes additional recommendations in four to six weeks on the use of Rotarix. PCV1 has not been detected in RotaTeq, the other rotavirus vaccine, which is manufactured by Merck.

Introduction

Vaccines are pharmaceutical products created from weakened or killed viruses or bacteria associated with specific infectious diseases in children and adults. Contrary to typical medications that are effective only as long as the chemicals remain in the body, vaccines help stimulate your body to develop long term resistance to these microbes and are available only for certain diseases.

Vaccines are usually administered by injection, although there are some vaccines given through other routes. Some vaccines require just one dose, while others may require multiple doses given at specific time intervals to build up an effective level of protection.

After the vaccine is administered, your body begins to make antibodies and memory cells against the weakened or killed microbes contained in the vaccine. These antibodies and memory cells stay active in the body for many years and help to recognize and fight the actual disease should you ever become exposed.

There are slight risks in receiving vaccines, but these are generally considered very low when compared to the amount of protection that is provided. If you are ill, pregnant, or have a compromised immune system, please consult your doctor as certain vaccines may cause complications.

Shanghai East International Medical Center offers vaccine services for the entire family. During your consultation, our medical staff can also answer your questions and concerns about vaccinations. To make an appointment, please call us during regular working hours at (86 21) 5879-9999.

Vaccines for Children & Teenagers

Most countries develop their own national vaccination schedule for children and teenagers which indicates what vaccines are recommended and when they should be given. The timing and types of vaccines chosen will depend on what infectious diseases are present in a particular country or what a particular country wants to prevent. These vaccinations are often mandatory and are a prerequisite for school admission. Parents will also need to consider relevant foreign vaccination schedules for any children living or studying abroad.

Links to vaccination schedules for selected countries are provided below. If the schedule you need is not listed, you should search online at your home country's public health authority or disease prevention center. Please note that these links will open in a new window.