Egg Allergics Can Still Have Flu Vaccine

Filed in archive Food Allergies on November 30, 2009

© samantha celera

Most people who have egg allergies are advised against getting the flu vaccine shot. This is because seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines are produced using chicken embryos eggs.

But according to this article from Medical News Today, allergists say that egg-allergic individuals can still get the flu shot.

Even if their skin tests are positive, Monteleone said people can still be vaccinated. "It may still be possible to administer the vaccine in graded doses," she explained. "During the office visit, increasing doses are given every 15 minutes, for a total of five doses."

Following completion of that process, patients will be supervised for a minimum of 30 minutes, Monteleone said. "The protocol is set forth by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology," she said. "This has to be done in a very careful and controlled environment."

Are you getting the seasonal flu vaccine? Hor about the swine flu shot?