Recommendations for the administration of influenza vaccine in children allergic to egg

doi:10.1136/bmj.b3680

Published 15 September 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3680
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3680

Clinical Review

Recommendations for the administration of influenza vaccine in children allergic to egg

M Erlewyn-Lajeunesse, consultant in paediatric allergy ¹, N Brathwaite, consultant in paediatric allergy², J S A Lucas, honorary consultant in allergy and respiratory paediatrics, senior lecturer in child health¹^,3, J O Warner, professor of child health⁴

¹ Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton , ² King’s College Hospital, London, ³ Infection Inflammation and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, ⁴ Imperial College and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London

Correspondence to: M Lajeunesse, The Children’s Allergy Clinic, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD mich.lajeunesse@soton.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Egg-free, mammalian culture based flu vaccinesshould be given preferentially to individuals allergic to egg

Ifan egg-free vaccine is not available, only vaccines with a statedmaximum egg content <1.2 µg/ml (0.6 µg per dose)should be used in individuals allergic to egg

If egg basedvaccine is administered to individuals with egg allergy, thisshould be done in a centre experienced in the management ofanaphylaxis

A single dose protocol is recommended for thosewith less severe egg allergy

A two dose, split protocol canbe used in those with anaphylaxis to egg or those with moderateor uncontrolled asthma

Egg allergy affects about 2.6% of preschool children by 3 yearsof age, and influenza immunisation using egg based vaccineshas been classified as a "relative contraindication" (prescribewith extra caution) in this patient group.¹ Until now the numbersof children with egg allergy requiring immunisation has been. . . [Full text of this article]

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