U-M study flips tables on flu vaccine recommendation for children allergic to eggs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has historically recommended that children with egg allergies not receive the flu vaccine because the vaccine is grown in embryonated chicken eggs.

U-M scientists have been examining the risk of the practice for several years.

Their most recent findings are responsible for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s announcement that a single dose of the flu vaccine is safe even for children with a severe allergy to eggs.

"Because the prevalence of egg allergy in children is approximately 2 percent, we know there are a significant number of children who don't get the flu vaccine,” according to a statement from Dr. Matthew Greenhawt, lead author of the study and assistant professor of allergy and immunology at U-M’s C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. “This study can put parents' fears to rest and hopefully help more kids avoid the flu.”

Children with egg allergies should be observed for 30 minutes after receiving the flu vaccine in a medical setting, according to U-M researchers.