Can You Get a Flu Shot if You’re Allergic to Eggs?

If you have an egg allergy, you may have been told in the past not to get the influenza vaccine. Why? Because many of the flu vaccines on the market are made with eggs. So, they contain a tiny amount of leftover egg protein.

That stance was based on limited data and a cautionary approach. But large, robust studies have since clarified the actual level of risk. And the guidance on egg allergies and flu vaccination has changed in response.

Current medical guidelines for those with egg allergies

“The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) recommends avoiding flu shots only if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine itself,” says infectious disease specialist Steven Gordon, MD.

Allergist Katherine Weller, MD, adds, “People with an egg allergy who get the flu vaccine are at no greater risk for a systemic allergic reaction than those without an egg allergy.”

For most people, including those with severe egg allergies, the risk of having an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine is extremely low — especially compared with the health risks associated with influenza.

Why are flu vaccines made with eggs

Flu vaccines — and many others — are made with fertilized chicken eggs because they’re rich in the nutrients the virus needs to grow quickly. It’s a fast, cost-effective and safe technique that research shows doesn’t pose a risk to those with egg allergies.

Still, new advancements in vaccine development mean there are more and more eggless options out there to consider.

Egg-free vaccine options

Experts agree that it’s safe for people with egg allergies to get flu vaccines made with eggs, but some types of flu vaccines are completely egg-free — an innovation that speeds up the virus-growing process. They are:

• Recombinant flu vaccines: Instead of growing the virus in eggs, these flu vaccines are genetically engineered using a copy of the flu virus’s DNA. This high-tech approach means they’re highly effective and safe — but they’re often more expensive.
• Certain cell-based flu vaccines: Manufacturers grow cell-based vaccines inside different mammal cells, instead of chicken eggs. It’s faster, which means fewer opportunities for the virus to mutate. But these vaccines tend to be more expensive, and some cell-based vaccines still use eggs as part of the production process. You’ll need to do some research to confirm whether the vaccine you’re considering is one of them.

Ultimately, vaccination decisions should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider you trust. Just keep in mind that because vaccines made with eggs are considered safe, egg-free vaccine availability may be limited in your area.

Who should take extra precautions

“Unless your allergist says otherwise, you should not get a flu shot of any kind if the flu vaccine itself ever caused you to have a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis,” states Dr. Gordon.

“You can often receive a flu vaccine safely in your allergist’s office through graded doses, even if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to it in the past,” Dr. Weller adds.

But you should never get a flu shot outside their office. Because anaphylaxis progresses quickly and can be fatal, the risk of a repeat episode from getting the vaccine far outweighs your risk of flu complications.

It’s important to understand the risks that come with any vaccine, but you can rest easier knowing that just 1.35 out of 1 million people have experienced one of these severe allergic reactions to the flu vaccine.

The other piece of good news: Of the small number of people who have had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, the anaphylaxis was most often triggered by an allergy to one of the other vaccine components, not to egg.

While allergic reactions to the flu vaccine are very rare, it’s not the only thing to keep in mind as you weigh your options. There are lots of different flu shots out there. Talk to a provider about which one you should get if you:

• Are pregnant
• Are vaccinating a child under age 9
• Are over 65 years old
• Have a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
• Are severely immunocompromised

“The bottom line is, even people with preexisting conditions, like an egg allergy, should consider getting the flu vaccine,” says Dr. Weller.