flu vaccination and egg allergy

[nearlyreadytopop]

ds (2) is allergic to eggs. He had his 1yr vaccinations in hospital. I have just heard that we will be offered flu vaccination this year as hes in the targeted age group.

For some reason I thought flu vaccine couldn't be given to egg allergy sufferes (probably something I read a while ago).
does anyone have experience with this?

Yes and it was fine. Just had to wait around for 10 mins afterwards but they were fine

thanks queen thats good to know

My GP wouldn't give DS the flu vaccine in the surgery. We had to get it done in hospital. DS was fine after it.

I think there is a vaccine made without using eggs. Just speak to the practice nurse who should be able to advise you.

My DS also has his flu vaccinations in hospital due to severe egg allergy but thankfully had no reactions. Last year there was an egg-free version of the vaccine but only for adults as it was not approved for children. It's different every year though so not sure what will happen this year - best to check with practice nurse or allergy nurse (if you have access to one).

I think it's the nasal flu vaccine that contains egg. Ds who is allergic to eggs but I think has now outgrown it, was not allowed the nasal vaccine but they said he could have the flu injection at the surgery under supervision.

The nasal spray definitely says not suitable for egg allergy and we weren't allowed the jab either. We weren't given a non-egg version as an option either.

Thanks babybarrister. That was what our consultant thought too although he wasn't 100% so good to have confirmation.

hello,

Just wanted to bump this thread as surgery just refused flu vaccine to my DS due to egg allergy. Spoke to consultant's office who said there was an egg free version that we could get the GP to order, but is it true that this is not suitable for kids?

Also, which is worse not getting vaccine (DS asthmatic so flu a worry) or being exposed to egg (his allergy is mild and we are on way to resolving it as he can now eat egg in cakes)....?

I'm reading this with interest. DS will be part of the target age range and is V. allergic to egg.
I had heard that there was an egg free version but not that it wasn't suitable for children. DH had his done at a work organised thing and they told him that GP could order in an egg free version.
DS's Asthma is v. mild so am wondering what to do for the best....

Pretty sure the egg-free flu jab has not been authorised for use in children. As for the flu vs allergy question, the risk of a reaction to the flu jab even in those with the most severe egg allergy is absolutely tiny whereas the risk of catching flu and developing additional problems due to asthma is statistically much greater. Even without asthma, I would say that the risk of flu is far greater than the chance of having a reaction to the jab. However, this is the injection I'm talking about, not the nasal spray as this is currently not recommended for egg allergy sufferers at all as insufficient research data exists. I would therefore ask for the jab rather than the spray.

Thanks so much for your advice on this. I am terrified of making the wrong decision.

Think I will call GP tomorrow and see what they say about the egg free version and if it is a no go for kids then I shall call the consultant back and see if they think it will be ok for DS to have the eggy version.

Argh so complicated! Will report back on what they say in case it is useful to anyone else.

Ok the saga continues! Spoke to GP who said they cannot get the non egg version but to try and see if consultant could.

Spoke to consultant (well registrar as consultant busy) who said non egg version not suitable for children and nasal spray a definite no no but that some of the vaccinations are low risk for egg allergy sufferers and that they will write to my GP to suggest some of those options.

So now just have to wait and see if my GP will actually sort out one of those vaccinations for DS....not feeling too hopeful.