Flu vaccines are fine for the egg-allergic too

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Though there is no debate about the importance of getting a flu vaccine the CDC reports that influenza-associated deaths range from 3,000 to nearly 50,000 each year traditionally, individuals with egg allergies have concerns about the safety of the shot because the vaccine is made using chicken eggs. Now, however, a study from the Hospital Sainte-Justine in Montreal is providing reassurance that kids with egg allergies can be safely vaccinated against the virus.

For the study, Canadian researchers followed 367 egg-allergic people, mostly children, who received the flu shot over five years. Approximately one-third of the subjects had a history of severe allergy symptoms, such as trouble breathing or a drop in blood pressure after eating eggs.

Reported in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the results showed that none of the patients had a serious reaction to the flu vaccine, and only 13 had mild allergy-like symptoms, such as itchy skin or hives.

While egg allergy is a legitimate concern, says ACSH s Ruth Kava, this study shows that the benefits of the flu vaccine outweigh any risks. Again, the message is to go ahead and get your flu shot not only is it important for protecting yourself, but also for the surrounding community.