- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T. Li, M.D.
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James T. Li, M.D.
James T. Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He is a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
Definition (3)
- What's the difference between H1N1 flu and influenza A?
- H1N1 flu (swine flu): How serious is the global threat?
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) pandemic: What does it mean?
Symptoms (2)
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) symptoms: Is fever always present?
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) symptoms: Self-care for the flu
Complications (1)
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) and pregnancy: Are special precautions necessary?
Prevention (5)
- H1N1 flu (swine flu): Can you catch it twice?
- Flu mask: Should I wear one?
- Flu vaccine: Safe for people with egg allergy?
- see all in Prevention
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Question
Flu vaccine: Safe for people with egg allergy?
Can I still get the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, or regular flu vaccine, if I'm allergic to eggs?
Answer
from James T. Li, M.D.
Both the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine are made using eggs. As a result, each type of flu vaccine has tiny amounts of egg protein in it. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that if you're allergic to eggs that you can't get a flu shot.
In many cases, flu vaccines can be given safely to someone with an egg allergy. If you or your child has had a reaction to eggs in the past, talk to your doctor before getting a flu vaccination. Your doctor may send you to a physician who specializes in allergies (an allergist) for allergy testing.
The doctor may give you or your child a test to see whether the vaccine is likely to cause a reaction. This test is usually a skin test. A nurse or doctor will scratch a tiny amount of egg protein on your skin and watch to see if your skin reacts to it. You probably will have skin tests using the vaccine itself, too.
If nothing happens — a negative test
You can receive a flu vaccination (the H1N1 or regular seasonal flu vaccine).
If the skin tests show that you're allergic to eggs, but the test using the vaccine is negative
You probably can receive a flu vaccination (either H1N1 or regular seasonal flu vaccine) without a problem. But to be safe, you should remain at the doctor's office for 30 minutes so that medical staff can watch you.
If the skin tests show that you might have an allergic reaction to eggs and the vaccine
You might still be able to get a flu vaccination. You may be able to receive a series of several flu shots of gradually increasing strengths over an hour or so. This is done very carefully because of the risk of a reaction. After the last dose, you'll be watched for 30 minutes at the doctor's office.
Though you can safely receive most vaccinations if you have egg allergy, always tell your doctor if you or your child has had an allergic reaction to eggs in the past. Be aware that yellow fever vaccine contains more egg protein and should be avoided by people with egg allergy.
Next questionFlu school closing: Any benefit?
- Li JT. Treatment guidelines. Administering the H1N1 influenza vaccine in patients with suspected egg allergy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/media/h1n1/egg_allergy_li.pdf. Accessed Sept. 22, 2009.
