Travel Vaccines Are Safe, According To The Fda

Precautionary travelers know that proper vaccination is essential to having a safe

, healthy trip. You would expect your vaccines to be safe, and would never accept anything less. It is very scary to think that you may have received a contaminated vaccine for the rotavirus. However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has just informed the medical community and the public that two potentially contaminated vaccines are, in fact, safe.

There are two vaccines out there for the rotavirus currently: Rotateq and Rotarix. The FDA recently found out that the Rotarix shot contained small amounts of a pig virus. They advised using the Rotatex vaccine instead, believing it to be pure. Later, Rotateq was also found to contain trace amounts of a pig virus. No one knew how this contamination may have happened.

The vaccines have both now been announced to be safe by the FDA. It s recommended that they are given to prevent rotavirus infection. According to the FDA there is no evidence that humans can be harmed by the pig virus found within the vaccines. Both vaccines against the rotavirus have been proven to prevent millions of cases of gastroenterititis, a dangerous disease that can cause diarrhea and severe dehydration, which can be especially deadly to children. Experts believe that the rotavirus vaccines have the potential to save millions of lives, and scientists have shown hard evidence that the vaccines are highly effective. International travelers should discuss with their doctor whether or not the vaccine is right for them.

A person planning on traveling internationally may require a variety of vaccinations before traveling. There is little to no cause to be concerned over the quality of these vaccinations. All vaccines are subjected to a very high standard of quality control. Nothing is 100% pure, and all vaccines and medications have some risk involved. However these risks are almost always far less then the risks associated with not receiving the recommended medicine or vaccine.

Perhaps, we should avoid the term 'contaminated' which can spook travelers. Let's use the phrase 'inert ingredients' instead. Let's keep this issue in perspective. I would swallow some inert pig virus any day of the week if it might spare me from the thrill and excitement of acute gastroenteritis. How bad is this disease? I'm a gastroenterologist; I should know.

by: Michael Kirsch

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