The Link Between Egg Allergy and the Flu Shot
The flu season is fast approaching, which
means it’s almost time for the annual flu shot. Getting vaccinated is
the best defense against the flu, and we have to protect ourselves and
others from getting sick with the influenza virus, and it’s important to
do so every year since the strains of the virus tend to differ slightly
each season.
Luckily, allergic reactions to the flu shot are extremely rare, only one
in every 1.13 million people will develop a severe allergy. Having some
mild effects, such as soreness in the muscles or a low-grade fever, is
not uncommon and does not indicate an allergic reaction. However, there
is one group in particular that is at a higher risk of experiencing an
allergic reaction - those who are allergic to eggs. If you have an egg
allergy, you might need to take certain precautions to discuss the shot
with your doctor.
This is how you identify an allergic reaction to the flu shot and what
you need to know about its relation to egg allergies.
The link between flu shots and egg allergies
According to the CDC, the symptoms of an allergic reaction after the flu shot might include:
Facial swelling around the eyes and mouth
Dizziness
Appearing pale
Hives
Fast heartbeat
Difficulty breathing.
After getting the flu shot, it is
recommended to monitor your reaction. If you experience any of the
symptoms listed above, you must contact your health care provider
immediately. As we previously mentioned, the most common reason for
people having an allergic reaction to the vaccine is an egg allergy.
Though there are no eggs in the active component of the shot, it is
manufactured with small amounts of egg protein. It could also be due to
other components, like preservatives, however, that is so rare a
condition that it shouldn’t deter you from getting the shot, according
to Ryan Steele, DO, board-certified allergist-immunologist and internist
at Yale Medicine.
Even if you suffer from a known egg
allergy, it doesn’t necessarily mean you must avoid the flu shot
altogether. The CDC instructions say you can still get the shot at your
local clinic if you can eat lightly cooked eggs (for example, scrambled
eggs) without having a reaction or if you only get hives after eating
eggs, without experiencing any other symptoms.
If your allergic reactions to eggs were
more severe and have included respiratory distress, lightheadedness,
swelling under the skin (angioedema), or recurrent episodes of vomiting
and you decide to get the vaccine, you must do so under the careful
supervision of a healthcare provider in a medical setting. The same is
true if you have ever required an EpiPen or emergency medical help after
eating eggs.
The only case where you must avoid the flu shot altogether is if you
previously had a severe allergic reaction to the flu shot itself. To be
extra safe, there will be two egg-free variations of the vaccine for the
2020-2021 flu season, so do ask your local clinic about them if you
happen to have a sensitivity to eggs.
Is there a connection between
Guillain-Barre syndrome and the flu shot?
Guillain-Barre Syndrom (GBS) is a condition in which your immune system
attacks the nerves in your own body. It manifests itself through a
sensation of tingling or numbness that starts in the lower body and
works its way up.
It is a widely-spread belief that GBS is a
common reaction to the flu shot, but that is a myth. In reality, there
is hardly a connection between GBS and an allergic reaction to the flu
vaccine; there are only one to two cases of GBS per million shots
administered. "You are more likely to get GBS from the flu itself rather
than the vaccination," says Dr. Steele.
The bottom line is that the benefits of the flu shot highly outweigh the
risks, according to the CDC and several other medical sources. Yet, it
is important to be aware of the facts and always consult a professional
if you’re in doubt.