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 | Flu season is nearly upon us, and the 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. Despite the concerns about people with egg allergy experiencing allergic reactions from the influenza vaccine, most studies show that allergic reactions are rare. Studies on dozens on people with egg allergy (including life-threatening egg allergy), show that serious allergic reactions are rare as a result of receiving the influenza vaccine. Still, allergic reactions may occur, especially hives. However, it appears that for most people with egg allergy, the benefit of receiving the influenza vaccine (especially if they have high-risk medical conditions) outweighs the small danger of an allergic reaction. Still, the vaccine should be given under medical supervision, and the patient should be monitored for 30 to 60 minutes afterwards in an environment where severe allergic reactions can be recognized and treated. | |
Influenza Vaccine and Egg Allergy
The influenza vaccine is produced using chick embryos, and therefore may contain a small amount of egg protein. This egg protein may cause a severe allergic reaction in a person with an egg allergy. Since the amount of egg protein may vary from one year to the next, an egg-allergic person may tolerate the vaccine one year, but not the next.
| 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.
| Vaccines and Food Allergy
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.
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