Press Release

Public advice related to Rotavirus vaccine and intussusception

14 February 2007

The Department of Health (DH) today (February 14) drew the public's attention to a public health notification issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States concerning reports of intussusception (intestine get blocked or twisted) following administration of Rotavirus, Live, Oral, Pentavalent vaccine (trade name RotaTeq) manufactured by Merck and Co., Inc.

The FDA appeal was made after 28 cases of intussusception involving infants who had received RotaTeq were detected. Sixteen of the affected infants required hospitalization and surgery on their intestine. No deaths due to intussusception were reported.

A DH spokesman said RotaTeq is used for the prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis.

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