Ask the Experts: Influenza Vaccination and Egg Allergy

Welcome to Immunize.org’s Ask the Experts resources. This Ask the Experts question is presented by Immunize.org’s Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH.
Question: What is the latest ACIP guidance on influenza vaccination and egg allergy?
Answer: The 2023 influenza ACIP recommendations state that everyone 6 months of age or older with egg allergy should receive an influenza vaccine. Any influenza vaccine (egg based or non-egg based) appropriate for the person’s age and health status can be used.
Egg allergy alone does not require any additional safety measures for influenza vaccination beyond those recommended for any recipient of any vaccine. All vaccines should be administered in settings in which personnel and equipment needed for rapid recognition and treatment of acute hypersensitivity reactions are available.
A person who has had a previous severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine has a contraindication to future receipt of that vaccine. For a complete list of vaccine components (i.e., excipients and culture media) used in the production of the vaccine, check the package insert (available at www.immunize.org/fda) or go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf.
For more on the evidence and rationale supporting the change in recommendations regarding influenza vaccination and egg allergy, see pages 12 and 13 of the published ACIP recommendations for the 2023-24 season at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/rr/pdfs/rr7202a1-H.pdf.
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