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Sick baby via Shutterstock
Tummy Ache

Babies should be vaccinated against stomach bug say experts

New plans from the National Immunisation Advisory Council include protecting against whooping cough and HPV.

THE MOST COMMON cause of gastroenteritis should be vaccinated against in children, new guidelines have suggested.

The National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC) has released new guidelines that suggest that babies aged between six and 32 weeks should be given the rotavirus oral vaccine.

The panel, part of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland suggests that the move would cut the risk of gastroenteritis.

The illness affects the stomach and intestines and causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

Under the proposals, the vaccine would be given to children as part of the Primary Childhood immunisation programme.

The guidelines also suggest that pregnant women be vaccinated against whooping cough to protect themselves and their babies.

They also recommend giving the HPV vaccine to gay men. The vaccine is currently offered to women who are sexually active in order to lower the risk of cervical cancer. However it can also be helpful to men.

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