Prevnar Vaccine tied to superbug ear infections

CHICAGO - A vaccine that has dramatically curbed pneumonia and other serious illnesses in children is also having an unfortunate effect: promoting new superbugs that cause ear infections.

On Monday, doctors reported discovering the first such germ that is resistant to all drugs approved to treat childhood ear infections. Nine toddlers in Rochester, N.Y., have had the bug and researchers say it may be turning up elsewhere, too.


It is a strain of strep bacteria not included in the pneumococcal vaccine, Wyeth's Prevnar, which came on the market in 2000. It is recommended for children under age 2.

The children had been unsuccessfully treated with two or more antibiotics, including high-dose amoxicillin and multiple shots of another drug. Many needed surgery to place ear tubes to drain the infection, and some recovered only after treatment with a newer, powerful antibiotic whose safety in children has not been established.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070917..._infections;_ylt=Avs..GWibCScI_1g9rFkR8nVJRIF

My daughter had this vaccine and she has a tendency for ear infections just like me

I'm glad my children are grown. I'd hate to have to make decisions about what vaccines to give them and not give them.