Egg allergy and flu vaccine

[MandCmama]

Ds2 has a severe egg allergy (anaphylaxis), so we haven't done the vaccine with him in the past. Our allergist has stated; however, that in the event of a severe flu outbreak, we would attempt it. As we see her Fri for enviro allergy testing, I'm guessing she'll want to administer the flu shot.  What should I expect? Should I pack enough entertainment for hours?

[GingerPye]

Both of my kids are considered pretty allergic to egg.  They have had the flu shot for two years now -- we did not do it before that because of recommendations not to do it with egg allergy.  The first year it was done in two parts --- 10% first and then a 30 minute wait; then the remainder and another 30 minute wait.  They did fine.  This year the allergist said we did not have to break it down into parts but we still waited 30 minutes after.  Not a problem. 

[twinturbo]

The data that's come out in the past two years really opened up flu shots for even severely allergic patients, the old model of scratch, intradermal then split shots has been replaced with essentially straight to split shots possibly graduating to one shot at primary ped.

What to expect? Probably a 10/90 at allergist's office administered by your allergist's nurse. Bring a tablet, book, ER run basics in case you are the percentage of a percentage that reacts. Prepare as you would for an oral challenge. You may get some meds on the preventative side advised to limit exercise or activity for a while.

[MandCmama]

Thanks ladies! That's kind of what I thought. I'm absolutely terrified though.... I still have PTSD re his reaction @ 9 months.  Most terrifying night of my life 

[GingerPye]

I KWYM. 

I was so amazed last year when they did okay -- not a hive or an itch or anything! 

[Macabre]

We we have a thread on this. Can we merge them?

[MandCmama]

Oh, sure. Sorry!

[CMdeux]

I KWYM. 

I was so amazed last year when they did okay -- not a hive or an itch or anything!

Yes, this!!

I would NEVER have thought that my DD could get a flu shot.  Never.

She did hive up around the injection site, and the local reaction was pretty fierce for a few days-- but that is a really small price to pay in her estimation and ours.  Nothing systemic this year (at least nothing that I recall).


I'll merge this with our other thread in another week or two, if that is okay.

[maeve]

DD has gotten the flu shot at her pediatrician's the past 2 years.  We wait in the waiting room for 30 minutes after the shot.  She has done wonderfully.  She was able to just get the straight shot at her peds because she tolerated baked egg in a challenge.  Otherwise, I think Hopkins would have advised us to have them administer it.

[eggallergymom]

My daughter has a severe egg allergy, too. She got the flu shot in two doses at her allergist's office. No problems at all, other than some boredom on her part.

[forvictoria]

Here's a link about an egg free flu shot, I am not sure if it is available yet but the FDA approved it.
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/21/fda-approves-new-type-of-flu-shot/

[hk]

We haven't done it yet.  I'm just too nervous.  Dd's allergist thinks she should get it, but her ped disagrees.

[joanna5]

We've done flu shots since David was three, as he has asthma and an immune deficiency.  The first three years were all at the hospital with a 10/90 split.  The next was a single shot at Children's.  Last year, he could have done it at the pedi's, but they were out of shots.  This year, he did a single shot at the pedi.  The first year, he had some mild hives at the site, but that was it.  Otherwise, it's gone smoothly.  Well, minus the drama that goes along with any shot, lol.

[Macabre]

MandC--no worries.  I just know that other thread had some very specific information, but I was looking for it and I couldn't find it (the search on this board is so hard).  CM--I was thinking sooner rather than later to avoid duplication.  Do you know where it is?

[CMdeux]

I think that the other thread is down in the egg allergy forum. 

Is this it?

Flu vaccination advice for 2011/2012 season