FW: AAFP MD OPPOSES ROTAVIRUS VACCINE

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

I've been researching the scoop on rotavirus and came across a statement

on the web at the American Academy of Family Physicians site that I

thought you'd be interested in. It reads:

Theodore Ganiats, MD opposes rotavirus vaccine mandate

AAFP Commission on Clinical Policies and Research member Theodore G.

Ganiats, MD speaking on behalf of the CCPR opposed a routine rotavirus

immunization in the Aug. 1 Family Practice News. Prior to the

recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice, Ganiats, of

San Diego, said such a recommendation " could unnecessarily override

patient preference by promoting use of a vaccine that does not produce

herd immunity and for which the cost is not yet known. " Ganiats also

said the AAFP would make a final decision once the vaccine is licensed,

but confirmed that the rotavirus vaccine should not be recommended for

routine use at this time. " We see little reason to rush to recommend

this vaccine universally,

except maybe for high-risk groups, " Ganiats said. " We are very

concerned about the economic leverage given to a vaccine manufacturer by

providing a 'recommendation' which will be interpreted by many as a

mandate, without linking the recommendation to a price. " Ganiats'

comments were published in a cover story titled, " Routine Rotavirus

Immunization Gets Backing From ACIP, Vote Comes Despite AAFP

Commission's Support for a More Selective Approach. " ------AAFP

Directors' Newsletter August 20, 1998

*****I called the AAFP to see if they had a more official statement now

that the vaccine has been licensed - I was told that they do not but

that it was doubtful that they would support it (the ACIP

recommendation). FYI.