Nova Scotia is the only Canadian province and territory that does not have a public program funding the rotavirus vaccine

Despite the existence of an affordable, simple vaccine for a virus that commonly gives children and infants severe diarrhea, the provincial government does not pay for it.

IWK immunologist Dr. Scott Halperin says it is unconscionable that the Nova Scotia government does not cover the cost of the rotavirus vaccine.

According to Global News, Dr. Halperin says Nova Scotia is the only province and territory without a publicly funded program for the rotavirus vaccine - which he says simply isn't right.

He says rotavirus is the most common virus causing diarrhea in young infants and children.

"Most children will have had a rotavirus infection by the time they're two years of age, it's that common, so virtually every child has it, or gets it," explains Dr. Halperin. "And they have diarrhea, and the ones that are more severe, that can get dehydrated, those are the ones that come to the emergency room at the IWK, often times requiring rehydration, a small proportion of those actually get admitted to the hospital, some of them even going into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)."

Dr. Halperin says while the vaccine has been recommended by Canada's advisory board on immunization, and the provincial Department of Health, funding for the rotavirus vaccine has not been approved in the budget, year after year. He estimates at a cost of $75 per vaccination, it would cost the province $1 million per year to pay for it.

Dr. Halperin says the vaccine is oral, and doesn't require an injection.

He describes it as available, safe, and effective, adding "it can prevent the severe part of the rotavirus infection, even children who get rotavirus after having the vaccine have a much milder illness, so they end up not having to go to the emergency room, not having to be hospitalized, and not being sick."

Dr. Halperin says if parents choose to get their child vaccinated, the cost is doubled to about $150 - since when the province buys vaccines they can negotiate a better deal.

He says a problem with that approach - other than cost - is that parents see it's not funded by the government, so assume it's not necessary, resulting in giving out mixed messages to the public.