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New FDA Approved Vaccines
By: Elizabeth Detlie, M.D. - Shoreview Clinic
Over the past year several new vaccines have been FDA approved. There has also been a booster added to the varicella vaccine.
RotaTeq is the newest vaccine offered at our clinics. It protects against rotavirus which can cause severe diarrhea when an infant contracts rotavirus they become severly ill and require hospitalization for IV fluids. It also causes 20-60 deaths a year in the United States, When RotaTeq is given it prevents severe gastroenteritis 95% of the time. It is an oral immunization and the first dose needs to be given between 6-12 weeks of age. There are a total of three doses usually given at 2-4 and 6 months.
Gardisil is another new vaccine which has gotten a lot of media coverage. This vaccine creates immunity towards several strains of the human papilloma virus which can cause gential warts and cervical cancer. This shot is currently being offered to all females between the ages of 9 and 26. Studies are currently being done on males and older females to deterimine how the vaccine should be used in these groups. Gardisil is given is a series of 3 doses at 0, 2 and 6 months and must be completed within 12 months of starting the series. It can be given to women who have contracted HPV in the past as it provides immunity to more than one strain of the virus.
Zostavax has also seen much publicity, but this is a more controversial vaccine. This shot protects against shingles, but only is effective 50% of the time and prevents post-herpetic neuralgia only 40% of the time. Currently, we are not offering Zostavax in our clinics because of its low rate of effectiveness.
Lastly there are new recommendations regarding the chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine. A slowly decreasing immunity has been noted in vaccinated childeren so a booster shot has been recommended at the 5 year exam. Those childeren between age 5 and 13 should have a booster as well. People older than 13 years, who do not have known immunity to varicella, should also consider a 2 dose series of Varivax. If immune status is unknown, a blood test can be done to determine if you have had chickenpox.
The physicians at MinnHealth continually study new and upcoming vaccines, including reviewing literature from the CDC and the ACIP guidelines. Our goal is to provide you with current effective, but also safe ways to prevent disease. Please feel free to discuss any of the vaccines with your primary provider.
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