Dont't have egg free vaccine in - what should I do?

[Mistymoo]

I'm not allergic to eggs now but did have a severe allergy when I was younger. I never had injections that contained egg.

I'm 18 wks pregnant and have been offered the jab but they don't have any egg free available. I thought it would be safer for me to take that given my history.

I have to take my ds in today for his jab (no egg allergy) and I was supposed to have mine then too, should I just take the other one? It is such a confusing issue.

A friend of mine had a very bad reaction to the jab and I'm very nervous about it both for me and my son. DH thinks it is a good thing to take as we both have asthma, plus I'm pregnant.

I'm so confused.

Anyone any thoughts?

Have you contacted your local PCT? They might have some info - they offer Celvapan clinics, unlike your GP.

I think I will ask when I take my ds for his. I will not be rushed into any decision. We are in Scotland so not sure if our situation will be different from elsewhere in the country.

Mistymoo: if you can eat eggs (or egg-containing foods) without reaction then there is no contraindication to receiving Pandemrix. It's very severe allergic reactions to egg (or any other vaccine component), and really exhibiting as anaphylaxis, that would be a reason to get another type of vaccine.

DD is classed as allergic to eggs although this is based on exclusion diets and skin prick tests; wwe're waiting till she gets a bit older to do food challenges coupled with bloodwork to assess if she is simply reacting or if it is a true allergic response.

She was vaccinated last week at an allergy unit where the protocol was to perform a skin prick test and, based upon the outcome of this, they decided whether to vaccinate or not. There is risk of the vaccine being contaminated with egg products but they also purify the virus particles (minimising possible contamination) and this is why some people who respond to egg are okay. If the person has a very strong response/sensitivity it may not be recommended as the risk is too high.

Could the GP check your egg allergy somehow? If not, get it checked out after your LO is born. It could be useful to know in the future.

I know my egg allergy is OK now but I'm always concious of the allergy being passed on the kids and so am careful when they are young.

Mistymoo, I forgot to mention that they did DD's skin prick test using the actual vaccine because of her known response to egg. My post might make a bit more sense! So, apart from checking egg allergy, they could possibly do this for you?

ds was supposed to go for his swine flu this afternoon but i had spoken to the HV about the different vaccines and she told me that the Pandemrix was cultivated in hens eggs and the Celvapan wasnt.

ds has an egg allergy, not sure if its life threatening as he's never had any actual egg just his skin breaks out if he eats even a tiny piece of something with egg in so have avoided it all together.

Turns out its Pandemrix they have in but i thought they might give it and have an epi pen handy just incase but the nurse wasnt keen and cancelled the appointment till they get some Celvapan in although she doesnt know when that will be.

we are in Scotland too and theres no sign of his school doing it yet and they dont know which vaccine they will be using when they do!