About Allergies: New Egg-Free Flu Vaccine Available

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Influenza is a potentially life-threatening viral respiratory infection that is particularly dangerous for people with chronic underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease, as well as for young children and the elderly. The seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended to prevent, or to reduce the severity of, infection with the influenza virus. Unfortunately, the influenza vaccine is made in chicken eggs, and therefore contains a small amount of egg protein. For this reason, the influenza vaccine has traditionally not been given to people with an allergy to eggs. While newer information suggests that the influenza vaccine can be safely given under medical supervision by a physician skilled in the treatment of allergic reactions, many people with egg allergy still don't receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Flublok, a new seasonal influenza vaccine, has been developed for the 2013-2014 influenza season. It does not contain any egg protein, as it is made in an "insect cell line". The current FDA approval of Flublok is for adults 18-49 years of age -- which is disappointing -- as most people outgrow their egg allergy by their teenage years. Therefore, it is somewhat surprising to me that the manufacturer, Protein Sciences Corporation, is even bothering with Flublok. It's likely to be far more expensive than traditional egg-based influenza vaccines, and can only be used for adults -- of whom egg allergy is not common. Go figure. Influenza Vaccine and Egg Allergy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the influenza vaccine for most children and adults, especially those with high-risk medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease) as well as young children and the elderly. However, since the influenza vaccine is produced in chicken eggs, it contains a small amount of egg protein, and therefore is considered contraindicated in those with egg allergy. Therefore, people with egg allergy have done without the influenza vaccine for years, putting themselves at danger of contracting influenza, a potentially life-threatening infection... Which Vaccines Should You Avoid with Food Allergies? Millions of routine childhood vaccinations are given every year in the United States; allergic reactions from these vaccines are extremely rare. However, some people with certain food allergies may be at higher risk for allergic reactions as a result of vaccines containing certain food proteins. Up to 8% of children suffer from food allergies, with egg being one of the most common foods to which children are allergic. Many routine childhood immunizations contain traces of egg protein or other food ingredients. As a result, there is the possibility that a child with food allergies will experience anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) as a result of receiving a vaccination. The following foods are present in small amounts in routine childhood vaccines; other non-routine vaccines containing food proteins are also listed... Outgrowing Egg Allergy Egg allergy is the second most common food allergy, affecting up to 2% of young children. While it is second only to milk as the most common form of food allergy affecting all individuals, egg allergy is the most common food allergy occurring in children with atopic dermatitis. Multiple studies have shown that about half of children with egg allergy will outgrow their allergy by 4 to 5 years of age. A significant proportion of children will therefore continue to be allergic to eggs at least until their adolescent or teenager years, and some may never outgrow their egg allergy... Search Related Topics:  egg allergy  egg allergy and mmr vaccine  egg allergy and flu vaccine Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications Find out important patient information for the most common medications used to treat allergies and asthma. Learn about what a medication is used for, who shouldn't take it, common side effects, and interactions with other medications. Pictures of the medication (pills, capsules, bottles, etc) are also shown. Related Searches Peanut Allergies Hayfever Allergies Asthma Allergies What Are Allergies Allergies and Skin Featured Articles Allergy Basics Frequently Asked Questions Nose and Eye Allergies Skin Allergies Asthma and Lung Allergies Common Allergy Issues in Children   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement