Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Rotavirus Vaccination - Part II

Not being satisfied by the explanation given by Ryan's first paed that it is too late to take the first dose of rotavirus vaccination, I have consulted another paed friend. We were worried about the possible infection that Ryan might get. The infection sounds serious and we definitely do not wish to see Ryan on drips and being hospitalised.

We were told that it is still possible to take the first dose before he turns 6 months and take the second dose one month later. According to him, the reason why, the first dose is recommended to babies before the 3rd month is because, babies of that age are most vulnerable and at risk. Being so young, serious dehydration would have adverse effects on the infant. It is not recommended to babies older than 6 months, largely because their studies showed that the percentage of babies in the studied group having already contacted the rotavirus is there, and hence the vaccination would no longer be effective for them. However, children who have not been infected could still get the rotavirus vaccination before their 6th month birthday.

To ease our worries and fears, we went ahead this morning to get Ryan his first dose of Rotavirus vaccination. His second would be 4 weeks from now. For now, our heart is a little at ease, knowing that we have tried our very best to protect him from this infection. God willing, he will grow up into one healthy boy.

Vaccination is not cheap though since we took it at a private clinic. It cost us RM170. Ironically, we were told that medical bills including vaccinations are cheaper at Damansara Specialist Centre as compared to private clinics outside. Not sure how much this is true though.

12 comments:

Umma said...

We had our first vaccination when my baby was 3 months old too. I just dont remember what are the vaccines but it was all written in his record.

My baby had 4 shots from the legs and he was given an oral meds too.

Anonymous said...

Yeah!!! way to go! at least you didn't stop just like that when the first paed told you a big fat "NO"...
*phew* mind feel more at ease now, eh? *wink* that feeling, only parents will understand... *smile*

Anonymous said...

:) D'sara Specialist Centre will be cheaper? erhm...my man admitted to that hospital b4 (due to a deep cut)...and the bill made our eyes drop, luckily we could claim frm his company :)

Mommy to Chumsy said...

after reading your earlier post, i went to check ashley's immunization record and found out we didn't bring her to have this jab taken. hmm...i wonder why her paed did not mention it to us too. this jab is not part of the must-haves?

Baby Darren said...

thanks for dropping by my blog.

You have a nice blog and a cute baby. Your wife is lucky that you are recording all these moments for her (not many daddies do these...)

Anyway, nowadays raising a child is expensive..considering all the expensive vaccination like Rotavirus and Pneumococoal. Luckuly darren's time still do not have rotavirus vaccination, or else..we pok kai already. We gave him the pneumococoal though that costs us a bomb.

MeRy said...

It is good to have this Vaccination...my boy Ryan has missed it.

Daddy said...

Hi Ladies. Apparently the rotavirus vaccination is rather new in Malaysia and hence the awareness is just picking up. And we are definitely relieved that Ryan could have his. Rotavirus vaccination which is taken orally is not one of the must-haves right now in Malaysia and hence, depends largely on the paed's recommendation.

Hi Lee Yen. I was told by a friend but I guess it applies to certain paed and only normal consultation and vaccination. For hospitalisation, the bills could be shocking.

Hi Baby Darren. The pleasure is all mine. Thanks for dropping by and hope to see you more often.

iamsteveholmes said...

Hi!

I'm soooo happy to see this post. You can't believe how nice it was to read the words Damansara Specialist Hospital and RM. It's bring comfort to me. I'm a Malaysian living in Sacramento, CA. I gave birth to my son a DSH. I'm just soo excited about it. Anyway, all I have to add is that my son had the rotovirus and we had to bring him to the ER because he could not keep anything down. He was either vomiting or diarrhea. It's nasty and we got a nice huge bill too. It's hard on the little guys body. That's my 2 cents. Hope you'll come visit my blog.

iamsteveholmes said...

Ick! sorry I was under my husbands blog when I wrote this. Mine is http://travelerinaforeignland.blogspot.com/

Thanks again.

Daddy said...

Hello Iamsteveholmes. Thanks for visiting. Was at your site yesterday too. I can understand the feeling of finding someone and something that relates to home when one is far away. Do drop by often. There are many mommies here from Malaysia who are eager to link up with you and share about parenthood. After hearing about you and your son's plight with rotavirus,I am so glad that we insisted to take it even though the first paed said it's a little too late. That was exactly the same circumstances and situation that we want to avoid.

Unknown said...

My gal Lynn was not given the rotavirus vaccine too. And when I asked the paed about it she's already more than 6 months old and the paed said it's not necessary for her to take now.

With my boy Zhe Hao now, I'm taking him to the government clinic for the monthly check up and jap. However this is not available in the govern clinic.

Sometime I do pity the babies need to take so many different vaccine and jap. And feel sorry for them when seeing them cry after taking the jap.

Daddy said...

Hi Chee Yee. No choice lor. Better short term pain for a few minutes than long term pain for everyone including the parents when they get really ill and need hospitalisation. Part of their growing process. At least, they have so many vaccinations to protect. When I was a baby, I don't think there were that many available.

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