Can you get the flu vaccine if you are allergic to egg?

Question

Are there any other options? My 2 year old is allergic to egg. Thanks!

Answer 1

This information is quoted verbatim from: http://ww2.abc7chicago.com/Global/story.asp?S=5962846

"While the CDC recommends that people with egg allergies not be vaccinated without consulting a physician, research has shown that a couple of vaccination strategies may work. There are two approaches: 1) vaccinating the person after a series of allergy shots to desensitize the person to eggs; and 2) giving the vaccine in two doses, 30 minutes apart. The first dose contains one-tenth the recommended dose of the vaccine, and the second nine-tenth of the vaccine. This latter approach has been successfully tested in a large, multi-center clinical trial.

You do have another option: You can talk to your health care provider about taking antiviral drugs prophylactically, or before you get sick. During the 2006-2007 flu season the CDC recommends oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) for preventing and treating the flu. If you've been around someone who has the flu, ask your health care provider for a prescription of antiviral medication and begin taking the medication within 48 hours of exposure, even before any symptoms appear. There is a 70 to 90 percent chance the drugs will keep you from getting sick."

If your child is at high risk of complications due to the flu, a flu shot may still be advisable. Talk to your child's doctor to determine if that is the case.

Answer 2

NO... i dont beleive so as most vaccine cultures are grown in the egg... check with your pharmacist or doctor,, they would now best... and some people like my self cant have th flu shot because of underlying diseases and immune disorder.. im still standing...

Answer 3

I was also wondering that; I am allergic to eggs also. I do not think there is any type of desensitation treatments available for food allergies yet.

Answer 4

I don't believe so. The nurses always ask if my children can eat them before they give them the shot. Maybe you should call and ask the doc if there is another alternative.