Ineffective baby vaccine in Gauteng
JOBURG – Bloom wants companies producing the vaccines to explain why they have not worked.
Democratic Alliance Gauteng Shadow Health MEC and a member of the provincial legislature, Jack Bloom claimed that the vaccine from some of the provincial hospitals was ineffective.
According to the statement by Bloom, some of the hospitals had increased incidents of babies with gastroenteritis – a common condition which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, despite having taken the rotavirus vaccination which should have prevented this.
“Rotaviruses are the leading cause of severe diarrhoea in children which can lead to dehydration and hospitalisation,” said Bloom.
He explained that he was contacted by concerned mothers who indicated that their babies got the vaccine either at a state clinic or a private pharmacy, but had to be hospitalised after contracting gastroenteritis.
“There are seven varieties of Rotavirus, and the available vaccines protect against five of them, so it is possible that there is an outbreak of the two other strains,” he explained.
The other possibility is that the vaccines were rendered ineffective because they were not refrigerated at some stage, particularly in the East Rand where most of the cases appear to have occurred.
He indicated that companies producing the vaccines should explain why they have not worked and should ensure that babies are properly immunised against this highly contagious virus.
“The Gauteng Health Department should institute an urgent investigation and a plan to prevent a possible increase in rotavirus infections,” concluded Bloom.
The Department of Health claimed there was no rotavirus outbreak in the province.
“The Gauteng Department of Health would like to dispel any rumours of a rotavirus outbreak in the province,” said department spokesperson, Steve Mabona in a statement.
“Rotavirus vaccine works only against the rotavirus. Rotavirus is not the only cause of childhood gastroenteritis. Other causes include changes from liquid to solid foods, food allergies, bacterial and viral infections including HIV,” the statement read.
Since rotavirus is not the only cause of gastroenteritis in children, it is possible for a child to have gastroenteritis even though they have been immunised against rotavirus, which is administered at six and 14 weeks, according to the department.
Details: DA Jack Bloom, 082 333 4222; Gauteng department of Health, 011 355 3000.
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