Vaccines for rotavirus (RotaShield, RotaTeq, Rotarix) have been associated with intussusception, a rare but serious intestinal side effect that can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction or perforation.
What You Can Do & How an Intussusception Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting vaccine induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was diagnosed with intussusception, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Vaccine Injury Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Rotavirus Vaccine and Intussusception
Rotavirus is a highly-contagious gastrointestinal infection that mostly affects infants and children. It causes diarrhea, dehydration, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Worldwide, rotavirus kills about 453,000 children every year, including 20-60 children in the United States.
Unfortunately, the RotaShield® vaccine was pulled off the market in 1999 after it was linked to an extra 1 or 2 cases of intussusception per 10,000 infants vaccinated.
Studies found a 20-30X increased risk of intussusception after the first dose of RotaShield. After the second dose, the risk was 3-7X higher.
Other rotavirus vaccines, including RotaTeq® and Rotarix®, have been linked to higher rates of intussusception in some studies, but not in others.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued warnings about the possible increased risk:
“It is possible that an estimated 1 to 3 U.S. infants out of 100,000 might develop intussusception within 7 days of getting their first dose of rotavirus vaccine. That means 40 to 120 vaccinated U.S. infants might develop intussusception each year.”
What is Intussusception?
Intussusception occurs when one part of the intestines folds in on itself and slides together, like a telescope. It usually happens where the small intestine meets the large intestine. Nearly all cases occur in young children or infants.
What is the problem?
Intussusception is a very serious condition that needs to be treated in a hospital and may require surgery. It can cut off the flow of blood to tissue in the intestines, resulting in tissue death (necrosis) or a bowel perforation. More commonly, intussusception blocks the intestines and obstructs food and fluids passing through the bowels.
Symptoms
In infants, the most common symptoms of intussusception are sudden episodes of loud crying with pain, followed by periods of exhausted sleep. These symptoms are often accompanied by:
- Stool mixed with blood and mucous
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Lumps or swelling in the abdomen
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Constipation
Peritonitis
One of the most severe complications of intussusception is peritonitis, a condition that involves severe inflammation and infection of the abdominal cavity. It occurs when an intestinal perforation allows bacteria to flow into the abdomen and infect tissues.
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)
Intussusception is a very rare side effect of vaccines, but it does occur. In the late 1980s, Congress created the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to help victims of vaccine injuries and shield drug-makers from lawsuits.
If your child developed intussusception after receiving a vaccine, you may want to consider filing a claim with the VICP. You may be entitled to up to $250,000 in compensation for your child’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, permanent disability, and more.
Do I have an Intussusception Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting vaccine induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was diagnosed with intussusception, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Vaccine Injury Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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