FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Oct 23, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Some allergy patients who
could benefit from the H1N1 vaccine may needlessly avoid it due to confusion, a
Virginia allergist suggests.
Dr. Peter R. Smith, an allergist and clinical immunologist with Allergy Partners
of Fredericksburg, Va., said there is a lot of misunderstanding about whether
people with food allergies, especially egg allergies, can receive flu vaccines.
"This is because flu vaccines contain a number of components, one of which is
egg protein," Smith says in a statement.
"The vast majority of patients with egg allergy and/or suspected sensitivity to
other components of the vaccine can be vaccinated following an evaluation by an
allergist. Even patients who have experienced adverse reactions to vaccines in
the past can often be inoculated safely using allergy guidelines."
The allergy guidelines are outlined in the October supplement to the Annals of
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Smith also strongly urges asthma patients to receive H1N1 flu and seasonal flu
vaccination as soon as possible since they are among the high-risk groups for
developing severe complications from influenza.
However, asthmatics and anyone living with them should avoid the nasal spray.
The nasal spray vaccine is a live, weakened strain of influenza that has the
potential to trigger respiratory symptoms in asthmatics and individuals who are
immunocompromised. These individuals, along with their family members, should
receive the injectable vaccine, Smith says.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International