Can I still get the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, or regular flu vaccine, if I'm allergic to eggs?
Both the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine are made using eggs. As a result, each type of flu vaccine has tiny amounts of egg protein in it. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that if you're allergic to eggs that you can't get a flu shot.
In many cases, flu vaccines can be given safely to someone with an egg allergy. If you or your child has had a reaction to eggs in the past, talk to your doctor before getting a flu vaccination. Your doctor may send you to a physician who specializes in allergies (an allergist) for allergy testing.
The doctor may give you or your child a test to see whether the vaccine is likely to cause a reaction. This test is usually a skin test. A nurse or doctor will scratch a tiny amount of egg protein on your skin and watch to see if your skin reacts to it. You probably will have skin tests using the vaccine itself, too.
If nothing happens — a negative test
You can receive a flu vaccination (the H1N1 or regular seasonal flu vaccine).
If the skin tests show that you're allergic to eggs, but the test using the vaccine is negative
You probably can receive a flu vaccination (either H1N1 or regular seasonal flu vaccine) without a problem. But to be safe, you should remain at the doctor's office for 30 minutes so that medical staff can watch you.
If the skin tests show that you might have an allergic reaction to eggs and the vaccine
You might still be able to get a flu vaccination. You may be able to receive a series of several flu shots of gradually increasing strengths over an hour or so. This is done very carefully because of the risk of a reaction. After the last dose, you'll be watched for 30 minutes at the doctor's office.
Though you can safely receive most vaccinations if you have egg allergy, always tell your doctor if you or your child has had an allergic reaction to eggs in the past. Be aware that yellow fever vaccine contains more egg protein and should be avoided by people with egg allergy.
from James T. Li, M.D., Mayo Clinic
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