Children Once in Danger of Flu Shot Can Get Vaccinated
The flu is responsible for the hospitalization of more than 21,100 children under the age of 5 annually. Yet according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), up to 2 percent of children may not be receiving the vaccination this year.
The reason? The flu shot has been historically associated with severe side effects in individuals with egg allergy. But ACAAI allergists have found that administration is safe even in children with a history of a severe allergic reaction to eggs.
The influenza vaccine is grown in chicken eggs, therefore it contains trace amounts of egg allergen, says allergist James Sublett, chair of the ACAAI Public Relations Committee. It has been long advised that children and adults with an egg allergy do not receive the vaccination, however, we now know administration is safe. Children and adults should be vaccinated, especially when the flu season is severe, as it is this year.
A study published in the December 2012 issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, ACAAIs scientific journal, showed that flu vaccinations contain such a low amount of egg protein that it wont cause children to have an allergic reaction.
The benefits of the flu vaccination far outweigh the risks, says Sublett. The best precaution for children that have experienced anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, after ingesting eggs in the past is to receive the vaccination from an allergist.
Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children. By age 16, about 70 percent of children outgrow their egg allergy. Most allergic reactions to egg involve the skin. In fact, egg allergy is the most common food allergy in babies and young children with eczema.
ACAAI also advises the more than 25.7 million Americans with asthma to receive the flu vaccination. Because the flu and asthma are both respiratory conditions, asthmatics may experience more frequent and severe asthma attacks while they have the flu.
Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.
A Controversial Reboot: New Vaccine Panel Faces Scrutiny, Support, and Sharp Divides
June 26th 2025As the newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met for the first time under sweeping changes by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the national spotlight turned to the panel’s legitimacy, vaccine guidance, and whether science or ideology would steer public health policy in a polarized era.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
