The FDA Shuts Down Common Infant Vaccine After Startling Discovery

I have always been very wary of vaccines after I saw my father get deathly ill just hours after receiving the polio vaccine. This was back in the 60s. He took us to our school and they were giving everyone the vaccine on sugar cubes. My two brothers, my Dad, and I all took the vaccine. Everyone was in perfect health.

Well, maybe three hours later he became very ill and was yelling and hallucinating. We couldn't wake him and he was covered with droplets of sweat all over his body but was cold to the touch. He was in convulsions. It was scary.

He recovered quickly, but it left a lasting impression on me, I avoid vaccines whenever possible (never had a flu shot). I don't like my children getting vaccines, but we have always complied with the law.

Whenever I have told people this experience they ridicule me. But if they ever have an experience like this they will have a very different attitude about vaccines and their safety.

 

A couple of corrections/clarifications to RevMitchell's post.

1) The FDA is recommending a suspension of Rotarix but has not shut down its use.

2) It is true that the vaccine is contaminated but the contamination is DNA from a virus that does not cause human illness or pose any other known health risk.

3) Glaxo is suspending use of Rotarix until they have more information but plans to continue selling the product once they figure out how the contaminant got in their product and get rid of it.

Rotavirus is not the most life threatening virus and it is not on the regular immunization schedule yet for many countries and states because it is still quite new. However, it is the most common cause of gastroenteritis which any parent knows is highly contagious. Most cases are mild and self-limiting but if a simple vaccine like Rotarix or Rotateq can help us avoid the severe dehydration in those less frequent cases of excessive vomitting and diarrhea, then it is a valuable vaccine.