Can I get vaccinated for food allergies?

This is the 2744th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

Recently, we have received many inquiries about allergies and vaccinations. "Dr. Zhuang, our child has allergies. Can he be vaccinated?", "Our child has allergies and is developing hives. Can he be vaccinated?", "We are allergic to eggs. Can we get the flu vaccine?"

When it comes to allergies, I can't help but blush a little, because I also have a clear history of food allergies. I am very ashamed to say that I am allergic to seafood. When my friends hear this, they usually respond with a very surprised expression: "You are from Fujian, and you are allergic to seafood?!" The degree of surprise is almost the same as "You are from Fujian, and you can't swim?!" ~

Friends with occupational sensitivity (mostly professional foodies) will continue to ask, what seafood are you allergic to?

Speaking of this, we are going off topic because we are going to talk about various Fujian delicacies (fresh seafood), but this article is a popular science article, not a food article, so let's get back to the topic.

No.1

What are you allergic to?

First of all, if you are allergic, you need to know what you are allergic to. Just because you have an allergic constitution doesn't mean you are allergic to everything. Remember this.

Let's look at the academic definition: Food allergy refers to a group of diseases in which the body causes a specific immune response to certain food proteins through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation, leading to allergic inflammation. Many foods can cause human allergies, and the most common allergenic foods are: milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, crustaceans and shellfish, fish, wheat and soybeans.

Fortunately, the vast majority of vaccines do not contain any of these food ingredients, with the exception of eggs.

Therefore, the Expert Consensus on Vaccination of Children with Special Health Conditions (IV) - Food Allergy and Vaccination points out that most vaccines do not contain food-related ingredients and will not cause allergic reactions due to food-related ingredients. Therefore, children with food allergies should receive vaccinations as usual.

No.2

How to deal with egg allergy?

This is a puzzling question.

Although there are trace amounts of ovalbumin (a major egg allergen) remaining in influenza vaccines, the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2015 edition, Part III) does not list egg allergy as a contraindication to influenza vaccination; the 7th edition of Vaccines also states that people with egg allergies can receive any vaccine, but children with a history of severe systemic allergic reactions to eggs should be vaccinated under the supervision of a medical institution.

However, the instructions for vaccine products in my country still list egg allergy as a contraindication. The following is an instruction for a children's vaccine and the other is an instruction for an adult vaccine.

Therefore, vaccination sites make judgments based on the instructions and people who are allergic to eggs cannot receive the influenza vaccine.

Among other vaccines used for children in China, measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, vaccines containing measles and mumps components, and rabies vaccine (imported), the culture of vaccine virus strains involves chicken embryos in the early stages of vaccine preparation. However, measles, mumps and rabies vaccine viruses and rabies vaccine (imported) viruses are cultured using chicken embryo fibroblasts and do not directly contact egg protein, so people with simple egg allergies can be vaccinated.

There is another vaccine that is not commonly used, called the yellow fever vaccine. Egg allergy is a contraindication for this vaccine. This vaccine is used when traveling to epidemic areas such as Africa and South America.

No.3

I am having urticaria.

Can I get vaccinated if I have eczema?

This is typical urticaria, and the following is typical childhood eczema. They all look familiar~

The authoritative advice in this case is: during the acute reaction period of food allergy (such as concurrent asthma, urticaria, etc.) or skin abnormalities at the vaccination site (eczema, atopic dermatitis, etc.), vaccination should be postponed. Wait until you are well again.

No.4

Can people with milk allergy get vaccinated?

Currently, vaccines do not contain milk ingredients. Simple milk allergy is not a contraindication to vaccination.

No.5

If I have allergies,

But I don’t know what I’m allergic to, what should I do?

This question is a bit of a test for parents. In this case, parents should correctly understand allergic constitution, accurately provide their children with allergic conditions and health conditions, and cooperate with doctors to assess whether there are any contraindications to vaccination. Even if the child has a history of allergies, but is not allergic to any component of the vaccine to be vaccinated (the instructions list all the ingredients of the vaccine), the vaccine can be given, but the child must be observed after vaccination.

If you are not sure, there are several solutions. First, look at the reactions to previous vaccinations. Second, look at previous treatments in the hospital, especially allergic reactions after the use of antibiotics. These substances often appear as preservatives in vaccines. Third, consider doing an allergen test.

No.6

The last time I was vaccinated, I had a fever or other reactions.

Can I get the next shot?

Those with mild reactions can be vaccinated, but those with severe reactions should avoid vaccination, such as rash, dyspnea, laryngeal edema, wheezing, hypotension, shock, etc.

No.7

Is it possible that you were not allergic to it before it appeared?

What happened to the allergies later?

It is possible. So you need to stay for 30 minutes after each vaccination.

No.8

Last question,

As a Fujianese, I am allergic to seafood

What kind of feeling is it?

There are many other delicious foods in Fujian. At worst, I just won’t eat raw seafood.

Author: Shanghai Changning District Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Zhuang Jianlin