Vaccine Allergy Egg

About Vaccine Allergy Egg

Egg allergy was historically a concern for vaccination because several vaccines including influenza, MMR, and yellow fever were produced in egg based systems. The MMR vaccine contains trace amounts of egg protein. Studies showed that MMR can be safely given to egg allergic children. The AAP and CDC removed egg allergy as a contraindication to MMR in the 1990s. Influenza vaccines also contain small amounts of egg protein. Since 2016, US guidance has stated that people with egg allergy can receive any age appropriate flu vaccine. Anaphylaxis after vaccination is rare, occurring in approximately 1 per million doses. Clinical guidelines expect vaccination sites to have epinephrine available. Cell culture based flu vaccines Flucelvax and recombinant vaccines Flublok are egg free alternatives. Yellow fever vaccine is the exception: it remains contraindicated for people with severe egg allergy. The misconception that egg allergy prevents vaccination has contributed to under vaccination. Clear guidance from health authorities has helped address this barrier.