Rotavirus is an intestinal virus that infects almost all children by the time they are five years old. A vaccine was available in the late 90's but the manufacturer voluntarily withdrew it soon after.

For young children the rotavirus can occur unexpectedly causing severe diarrhea, vomiting and fever, which can quickly lead to dehydration. Schoolteacher and mother of two, Kim Howerton say, "I'm glad my kids have never had Rotavirus, I know some people that have had it and were really sick. My son actually took an oral vaccine for it."

Pediatrician Eric Jones explains that "It's an oral vaccine, so it's not a shot for the child."

Dr. Jones says that worldwide this vaccine has the capability of saving over 1,400 lives every day. That's because rotavirus is the most common cause of severe dehydration, and diarrhea in children. "It's been tried many, many times to make a vaccine for this because worldwide this is one of the major causes of infant mortality. It's just terrible in other countries and it's bad here."

Dr. Jones also says that vaccine attempts for rotavirus in the past had been unsuccessful because of a bad side effect that would cause a bowel obstruction. "But we've discovered with this vaccine, at least primarily that we don't see that side effect; so it's very, very promising. It's already available and we're starting to get it in the offices now."

Children can receive this vaccine at the same time as other childhood vaccinations. There are 3 doses total, and all three doses of the vaccine should be given to your child by 32 weeks of age.

In our country the rotavirus usually occurs most often between November and May.