November 12, 2009

H1N1 vaccine safe with egg allergy?

Posted: 01:41 PM ET

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Kali in Florida:

My 4-year-old daughter has egg and peanut allergies. Can she still take the H1N1 vaccine? If not what are her choices. I've been getting conflicting answers.

Answer:

Kali thanks for writing in. We’ve received several questions like yours since the H1N1 vaccine became available. Let me start by saying that if your daughter has a true egg allergy, and not just a sensitivity, then she can not have the H1N1 or the seasonal flu vaccine. The two types of H1N1 vaccine, the shot and the nasal spray, are made with eggs so it is not recommended for people with severe egg allergies.

However, allergists we spoke with said people with mild reactions to eggs can get vaccinated. Keep in mind that the amount of egg protein in a vaccine is often less than you would find in most baked goods. So if your daughter has been able to eat bread or cake, she may have a more mild allergy.

Consider going to an allergist and ask about getting a skin-prick test. The allergist will have a diluted and non-diluted version of the vaccine. Their first step will be to do the skin-prick test with the undiluted version. If your daughter does not break out in hives or have a strong reaction, then she can have a stronger test with a small, diluted injection. If your child doesn’t have a strong reaction to that test, then her allergy may not be severe and your allergist may give her a flu shot.

If your child does have a strong reaction and your doctor believes she shouldn’t get the flu shot, then talk with your health care provider about strategies for keeping her healthy. These steps are basic hygiene, such as washing hands for the count of singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice and staying away from sick friends plus, avoid wiping your eyes and touching your face if possible.

I hope this helps and your daughter has a flu-free season

Filed under: Allergies • Dr. Gupta • Expert Q&A • H1N1 Flu • H1N1 Flu Vaccine

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gary wilson

November 15th, 2009 9:55 am ET

Take a look at an interview with former Finnish health minister Dr. Rauni Kilde. She doesn't recommend any one getting the h1n1 flu shot especially pregnant women and young children. I hope she is wong because all three of my grandchildren have received the h1n1 flu vacine. An investigation into the contents of her statements deserve could prove very interesting.

julie

November 15th, 2009 4:32 pm ET

What do you know to be true or false coming out of the Ukraine in regards to "lungs filled with blood" and "155 degree lungs" "blackened". This obviously would not be H1N1, yet no media is covering it to get to the truth. I have no clue what is true or not, but would find it comforting if one journalist here in the U.S. was actually trying to get to the bottom of it.

ACinCincy

November 17th, 2009 2:02 pm ET

My daughter, who is 4, is mildly allergic to eggs, but she's never had the flu shot. I'll ask her allergist about it at her next appt.

In years past, my husband and I, as well as her older sister, would all get the seasonal flu shot to provide her with "herd" immunity.

This year, there are no vaccines to be had in our area of any kind, which is worrisome to us...

None of us have ever had any bad side effects to any vax, I might add. Even when I was pregnant with my first, I got the flu vax (and that kiddo has turned out to be a genius, by the way).

I'll take a 1 in a million chance of a negative outcome from the vax versus 1 in 500 (or greater) if my kid comes down with the real deal.

curious

November 18th, 2009 4:36 am ET

Plants? I'm o.k. w/eggs, but am heart felt for the allergic.Try some alfalfa, or bamboo. I'm probably over my head. Shoots- try kangaroos, or salmon incubation in a controlled setting. (zoo)? Just throwing ideas out there. We need to conquer this.

SUSAN WINTER

November 18th, 2009 12:15 pm ET

IS IT OK TO HAVE A THE H1N1 FLU SHOT IF YOU HAVE A COLD? I WOULD WHERE A MASK IN PUBLIC. I AM SO NERVOUS ABOUT THIS H1N1 AND I AM HIGH RISK.

Laura

November 19th, 2009 10:48 am ET

My 4 1/2 year old son has a severe allergy to eggs and he was just successfully given the seasonal flu vaccine. Because he also has severe asthma, we decided to go for it this year. His allergist administered the vaccine in 4 small doses with significant wait time in between to see if he had any reaction. This was incredibly stressful, but well worth it. If you have a great allergist who you trust, talk to him/her about it. Not sure what we'll do about the H1N1 vaccine – but we are discussing next week at his next appointment.

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