• Skin testing with influenza vaccine is no longer necessary;

• Egg allergic patients who have never had a systemic reaction to egg or tolerate egg in baked goods can safely receive influenza vaccination;

• Egg allergic patients with a history of a systemic reaction to egg e.g. hives, wheezing, decreased blood pressure or loss of consciousness should make an appointment with their physician to discuss vaccination;

• Egg allergic patients should remain in the office for at least 30 minutes after influenza vaccine injection for observation;

• We realize these are major changes for egg allergic patients vs. what’s been done in the past.  If you are uncomfortable or worried about receiving the influenza vaccination in light of these new guidelines, we would encourage you to make an appointment and discuss with your health care provider.

Flu shot egg allergy algorithm 2011

AAP Red book recommendation algorithm for flu vaccine for 2011-2012 6m to 8y

 FDA first learned of adverse events possibly linked to the product on May 13, 2011. To date, the agency is aware of 15 cases of NEC, including two deaths, involving premature infants who were fed SimplyThick for varying amounts of time. The product was mixed with mothers’ breast milk or infant formula products.  Illnesses have been reported from at least four different medical centers around the country. The illnesses of which FDA is aware involve premature infants who became sick over the past six months. SimplyThick was added to the feeding regimen of those infants who later developed NEC to help with swallowing difficulties stemming from complications of premature birth.  The current situation is unusual because NEC most often occurs in babies within the hospital early in their premature course. But among the ill babies FDA is aware of, some had been discharged from the hospital to home on a feeding regimen that included SimplyThick and then fell ill at home.

 Gary Goldbaum, MD, MPH

Health Officer & Director

Snohomish Health District

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