In early 1997 application was sent to the US FDA for rota
virus vaccine. This is a live oral vaccine.
For those unfamiliar with rota virus (because either you dont
have children or more likely you breastfed them) this is the
most common cause of severe vomiting and diarrhea world
wide. It affects virtually all children by age 3 to 4. In the US
each year among children under 5 y/o there are about
165 deaths, 104,000 hospitalizations, 775,000 physicain visit,
and  3,075,000 cases of diarrhea. World wide it causes
>750,000 deaths.
As we all know BF is highy protective against gastroenteritis.
In fact one of the Infectious Disease newsletters I receive
even stated that BF has efficacy against rota virus comparable
to the full series of the rota virus vaccine and talk of promotion
of BF as a suitable compliment to a vaccine program.
With this in mind I was wondering if this vacine would really
be much benefit to a low risk baby, at home and exclusively
 BF.
I sent a question to the CDC and the reply was presently
the vaccine will probably be recommended for all children (I
know its recommended for all term children at a 2,4,6
 month schedule, premies arent decided on yet) The
individual who replied stated he did not know of any
 protective benefits from BF.
I quickly replied with references.
The next CDC program reply to me said they will pass
my comments on to the Advisery Committee on
Immunization Practices and let me know of their comments.
I'll keep everyone informed.
The main negative side effect seems to be a low fever <39
or <102.2 3 to 4 days after the vaccine. Just hate to get a fever
in a 2 month old if you dont need it
-Rob