Hot Topics: Egg Allergies
Egg allergies occur in about 0.5 percent of the population and in about 5 percent of children with allergies. Because influenza and yellow fever vaccines are both made in eggs, egg proteins (primarily ovalbumin) are present in the final product. Residual quantities of egg proteins found in the influenza vaccine (i.e., about 0.02-1.0 ug per dose) are sufficient to induce severe and rarely fatal hypersensitivity reactions in children with egg allergies. Unfortunately, people with egg allergies also have other diseases (such as asthma) that are associated with a high risk of severe and occasionally fatal influenza infection. For this reason, protocols have been developed to administer influenza vaccine safely to people with severe egg allergies.
In contrast to influenza vaccine, measles and mumps vaccines are propagated in chick embryo cells in culture — not in eggs. The quantity of residual egg proteins found in the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is about 40 pg — a quantity at least 500-fold less than those found for influenza vaccines. The quantity of egg proteins found in MMR is not sufficient to cause severe allergic reactions, and children with severe egg allergies can receive measles and mumps vaccines safely.
References
Bierman CW, Shapiro GG, Pierson WE, et al. Safety of influenza vaccination in allergic children. J Infect Dis. 1977;136:S652-S655.
Fasano MB, Wood RA, Cooke SK, Sampson HA. Egg hypersensitivity and adverse reactions to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. J Pediatr. 1992;120:878-881.
Glezen WP. Serious morbidity and mortality associated with influenza epidemics. Epidemiol Rev. 1982;4:25-44.
Glezen WP, Greenberg SB, Atmar RL, et al. Impact of respiratory virus infection on persons with underlying conditions. JAMA 2000;283:499-505.
James JM, Zeiger RS, Lester MR, et al. Safe administration of influenza vaccine to patients with egg allergy. J Pediatr. 1998;133:624-628.
Murphy KR, Strunk RC. Safe administration of influenza vaccine in asthmatic children hypersensitive to egg proteins. J Pediatr. 1985;106:931-933.
Ratner B, Untracht S. Egg allergy in children. Am J Dis Child. 1952;83:309-316.
Zieger RS. Current issues with influenza vaccination in egg allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002;110:834-840.
Reviewed by: Paul A. Offit, MD
Date: March 2008
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.
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