CHICAGO — A
vaccine that has dramatically curbed pneumonia and other serious
illnesses in children is 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 germ and researchers say it
may be turning up elsewhere, too.
It is a strain of strep bacteria not included in pneumococcal
vaccine, Wyeth's Prevnar, which came on the market in 2000. It is
recommended for children under age 2.
Doctors say parents should continue to have their toddlers get the
shots because the vaccine prevents serious illness and even saves lives.
But the new resistant strep is a worry.
"The best way to prevent these resistant infections from spreading is
to be careful about how we use antibiotics," said Dr. Cynthia Whitney,
chief of respiratory diseases at the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Avoiding antibiotics when they are not needed is the best way to ensure they will work when they are, she said.
