[NVIC] Future Rotavirus Vaccine Promoted

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E-NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL VACCINE INFORMATION CENTER

Vienna, Virginia http://www.nvic.org

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UNITED WAY/COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN

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" Protecting the health and informed consent rights of children since 1982. "

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BL Fisher Note:

This kind of publicity is to prepare the public to accept mandated use of

the new rotavirus vaccine for diarrhea that Merck is developing. Look for

the CDC and AAP to recommend that all babies get vaccinated with Merck's new

rotavirus vaccine once it is licensed by the FDA. After the CDC and AAP

recommend a vaccine for " universal use " by all children, state public health

officials add it to the mandated list of vaccines children must use.

Drug companies make predicable and higher profits when a vaccine is

mandated. Unlike in developed countries like the U.S. and Europe, diarrhea

is a serious problem in underdeveloped countries where there is substandard

nutrition, sanitation and medical care and babies do not receive rehydration

therapy during diarrheal illness. However, underdeveloped countries do not

have the funds to buy new and expensive vaccines like rotavirus vaccine. So

the U.S. mandates its use in order that drug comapnies can take high profits

and offer it to Third World countries at a reduced cost.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104 & STORY=/www/story/10-31

-2005/0004203873 & EDATE=

PRNewswire

SOURCE National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition

Web Site: http://www.hmhb.org http://www.rotavirusready.org

http://www.merck.com

Nationwide Survey Shows Lack of Knowledge About Common

and Potentially Serious Virus

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Many moms with young children

are

unfamiliar with rotavirus, according to a new nationwide survey conducted by

the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) to raise

awareness about this unpredictable, highly contagious and potentially

serious

virus. Even though nearly all children are infected with rotavirus by the

time they reach kindergarten, only about one in five mothers surveyed said

that they are familiar with the virus, and more than two-thirds responded

that

they have heard little or nothing about it.

HMHB is teaming up with father and son renowned pediatricians and

authors

Drs. Bill and Jim Sears, with support from Merck & Co. Inc., to launch the

new

" Are You Rotavirus-Ready? " campaign to provide parents with information

about

rotavirus, including recognizing symptoms and the signs of dehydration.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in infants

and young children and infects nearly all children by the age of three.

" Rotavirus is highly contagious and children can become infected at any

time of year, " said Jim Sears, M.D., pediatrician and co-author of " The Baby

Book. " " The virus is typically transmitted from person to person, through

fecal-oral contact with contaminated hands and objects, so it is important

for

parents to pay close attention to their children all year long, but

especially

during the fall through the spring when cases peak in the United States. "

Survey* Reveals Low Levels of Awareness

According to the survey of 600 mothers with children under age three

conducted by HMHB, more than 70 percent of respondents said that they have

heard little or nothing about rotavirus, and almost half (46 percent) said

that they are not at all familiar with rotavirus. Of the respondents who

said

they are familiar with the virus (21 percent), nearly 60 percent did not

know

or think that it is the most common cause of diarrhea in young children, and

almost half (49 percent) did not know or think that nearly all children will

become infected with the virus by the time they enter kindergarten.

A majority of respondents, however, rated the potential symptoms of

rotavirus as some of the most serious that could affect their child.

Ninety-

five percent of moms surveyed think that severe diarrhea is a serious or

very

serious symptom and more than nine out of 10 believe forceful vomiting with

increased frequency is also a serious or very serious symptom.

" Given that rotavirus is so common and potentially serious, it is

surprising that so few parents are aware of it, " said Judy Meehan, Executive

Director, HMHB. " Since there is no way to predict whether a child will have

a

mild or severe case, we want to help parents learn about rotavirus and its

symptoms so they are prepared and know when to call their doctor. "

Symptoms Can Be Serious

Symptoms of rotavirus vary but typically include fever, upset stomach,

and

vomiting, in conjunction with watery diarrhea. Children with rotavirus can

have multiple episodes of diarrhea per day, and can last for three to nine

days. Diarrhea, when combined with frequent vomiting, can lead to

dehydration, or rarely, even death. Each year in the United States,

rotavirus

is responsible for an estimated:

-- 70,000 hospitalizations;

-- 160,000 emergency room visits among children younger than five -- an

average of more than 3,000 visits per week;

-- 500,000 visits to doctor's offices; and

-- 100 deaths per year among children younger than five -- an average

of

nearly two deaths per week.

" For more than 30 years I've seen, and continue to see, cases of

rotavirus

-- both mild and severe -- that have affected children and their parents, "

said Bill Sears, M.D., pediatrician and co-author of " The Baby Book. " " We

know that nearly all children will get rotavirus and some of them will have

symptoms that can quickly lead to severe dehydration. Through this

campaign,

we hope to educate parents about rotavirus and the risks of dehydration so

they can identify the symptoms and be aware of the potential seriousness of

the disease. "

There are many different rotavirus strains and the prevalence of these

strains varies by geography. While children can get rotavirus at any time

of

year, in the United States cases begin to peak in the fall. The number of

rotavirus infections generally increases in the Southwest in November -

January and spreads across the country in a wave, with infections typically

peaking in the Northeast through the spring.

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition urges parents to

familiarize themselves with the symptoms of rotavirus and know when cases of

rotavirus tend to peak in their area. For more information about " Are You

Rotavirus-Ready? " and rotavirus, including a free brochure, consumers can

visit http://www.rotavirusready.org.

About the National Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) is a tax

exempt, 501©(3) organization that reaches an estimated 10 million health

care professionals, parents and policymakers through its membership of over

200 local, state and national organizations. Enhanced by a network of

Healthy

Mothers, Healthy Babies state and local coalitions across the country, HMHB

promotes change and creates partnerships among community groups, nonprofit

organizations, professional associations, businesses and government

agencies.

By promoting optimal health for mothers and children, HMHB works to

strengthen

families and build communities. To learn more, go to http://www.hmhb.org.

About Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company

dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers,

develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines in more than 20

therapeutic categories. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase

access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck

medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also

publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more

information, visit http://www.merck.com.

* The national telephone survey was conducted with 600 mothers of

children

under the age of three, as children between six and 24 months of age are at

greatest risk for severe disease. The margin of error at the 95% confidence

level is +/- 4.0 percentage points.

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