Baby with Rotavirus Vaccine Injury

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Getting rotavirus disease isn’t fun for adults, but it can be serious for infants and young children. As a result, babies are vaccinated early to prevent serious infections. 

While it is safe for most infants and children, the rotavirus vaccine has been known to cause several reactions and side effects, including intussusception, allergic reactions, and other injuries. 

If your child or someone you love suffered a serious reaction following a rotavirus vaccine, you may qualify for compensation from a federal fund known as the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund. Our vaccine injury attorneys can help. Contact us today for a free consultation at (312) 578-9501. 

In this article, we explore everything you need to know about the rotavirus vaccine and the side effects linked to it, as well as how you can get compensation following a rotavirus vaccine injury. 

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Get the Rotavirus Vaccine? 

The CDC recommends that infants receive two to three oral doses of the rotavirus vaccine between 15 weeks and 8 months old. This vaccination offers protection from severe rotavirus infection, which can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Children may become dehydrated and may need to be hospitalized. 

There are two Rotavirus vaccines licensed for infants: RotaTeq and Rotarix. RotaTeq is a live vaccine given in 3 doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Rotarix, on the other hand, is a live vaccination administered in two doses at 2 and 4 months of age. 

Who Shouldn’t Get Vaccinated Against Rotavirus? 

Most children should receive the rotavirus vaccine. You should speak with your child’s pediatrician if they: 

  • Have had an allergic reaction after a prior dose of the rotavirus vaccine. 
  • Have severe and life-threatening allergies. 
  • Have a weakened immune system. 
  • Have had a type of bowel blockage called “intussusception.”
  • Have severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)

Injuries and Reactions Caused by Rotavirus Vaccines

Rotavirus vaccines have been frequently connected with the following side effects: 

  • Irritability
  • Mild and temporary diarrhea
  • Vomiting

If these symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, contact your pediatrician. 

Rotavirus Vaccines Linked to Intussusception 

Intussusception is a type of bowel obstruction that require hospital treatment and sometimes surgery. It happens when one part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine, causing a blockage. Infants sometimes suffer from this condition unrelated to vaccination. 

In rare cases, the rotavirus vaccine causes intussusception. This condition will develop typically within a week following the first or second dose. 

Signs of vaccine-related intussusception to watch out for include: 

  • Stomach pain
  • Severe crying
  • Blood in the stool
  • Frequent vomiting
  • Irritability that only gets worse 

If you think your baby has intussusception, please seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Speak with a healthcare provider. If you can’t reach them, take your child to the emergency room. Tell them when your baby received the vaccine. 

How Is Intussusception Treated? 

After an intussusception diagnosis, the doctors will attempt to push the intestine back using a liquid contrast enema or air contrast enema. This procedure is done radiologically, not surgically. Your child won’t need anesthesia. 

If this radiologic procedure is unsuccessful, your child will need surgery to repair the blockage. Surgery may also be recommended if there’s a severe infection or if your baby is too sick for the radiologic procedure. 

After treatment, most children with intussusception make a full recovery. 

To learn more about intussusception caused by vaccination, click here. 

Compensation Is Available for Rotavirus Shot Reactions

If your child or a loved one has suffered from a Rotavirus vaccine injury in the last three (3) years, you may be eligible for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. If eligible, you may be entitled to compensation for out-of-pocket medical expenses, past and future lost wages, and pain and suffering (up to $250,000). 

The VICP is funded by a $0.75 excise tax for every vaccine given. The Vaccine Injury Fund was created for folks in a similar situation to yours. 

To learn more, please call us at 312-578-9501. You can also contact us by filling out the form below. Our consultations are always free, and our representation comes at no cost to our clients when handling rotavirus vaccine injury cases. 

Additionally, the attorneys are licensed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, so they can represent you no matter which state you live in. 

Sources:

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rotavirus.html
  2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10793-intussusception
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