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Egg-free influenza vaccine linked to allergic reaction
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Reports on the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System indicate that patients with a self-reported egg allergy or previous allergic reaction to inactivated influenza vaccine have experienced allergic reactions after receiving egg-free recombinant influenza vaccine.
“The results of this limited analysis suggest that allergic reactions following influenza vaccination are not necessarily related to egg proteins,” Emily Jane Woo, MD, MPH, of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, wrote in Clinical Infectious Diseases. “Vaccine providers and other health care professionals, as well as consumers, should be aware that allergic reactions — sometimes requiring emergency medical intervention — have occurred following routine immunization with [recombinant hemagglutinin influenza vaccine (RIV3)].”
Woo searched the VAERS database for all reports from Jan. 16, 2013 to July 31, 2014 that listed RIV3 as the primary vaccine to identify allergy-related reports. Within the time frame, there were 18 reports of vaccine-related adverse events, including 12 that described signs and symptoms consistent with hypersensitivity reactions, and all were considered possible anaphylaxis.
None of events resulted in fatalities or hospitalizations, except for one patient who was observed overnight in the ED. Ten patients reported a history of allergies, chiefly to eggs, or reactions to other previous influenza vaccines. For all cases, RIV3 was the only vaccine given at immunization.
“ACIP recommendations state that, ‘A previous severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine, regardless of the component suspected to be responsible for the reaction, is a contraindication to future receipt of the vaccine,’ ” Woo wrote. “The severity of the previous reaction should be assessed by a physician with expertise in the management of allergic reactions, and the risks and benefits of influenza vaccination should be discussed, taking into account each person’s current and past medical conditions and risk of complications associated with wild-type influenza.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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