2008-2009 Flu Season and Egg Allergy
It’s getting to be that time of year again. Flu season is on its way which means it may be time for certain high risk groups to get their annual flu shot.
According to the U.S. News and World Report today, U.S. health officials are advising - in addition to adults - that all children get the vaccine between the ages of six month and 18 years of age unless they have an egg allergy. This year, health officials feel that they have a particularly effective vaccine which will cover the flu strains that are circulating.
Regarding the egg allergy, according to DrPaul.com, the influenza vaccine is “made using chicken egg or related substances. In theory, if one is allergic to eggs, then one may be allergic to egg-based vaccines.”
Dr. Daniel B. Jernigan, deputy director of the CDC’s Influenza Division, said to members of the press at a teleconference Wednesday, “We are optimistic that this year’s vaccine will be on target in protecting against the flu.”
With the flu season traditionally expected to peak in January, it is advised that people receive shots as soon as possible.
CDC Director Dr. Julie L. Gerberding hopes that effective vaccination will help prevent the mortality rate of past years saying, “We still face an excess burden of mortality from what is our nation’s number one vaccine-preventable disease.”
According to the article, last year there were 36,000 deaths due to influenza.
As for the egg allergy population, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reports that egg allergies exist in “about 0.5 percent of the population and in about 5 percent of children with allergies” and those who are severely allergic should seek alternate ways for administration of a flu vaccine.
September 24, 2008 – 11:10 pm