People allergic to eggs, safe to get flu vaccine

Kansas health officials say the flu is increasing in most parts of the state.

Over the course of a typical flu season - which runs from October to May in the United States - hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized with the virus and tens of thousands die from it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Khan said the flu season this year may be worse than the last, judging from how badly Australia was hit and also concerns about the flu vaccine not being as effective as desired.

Hospitalization numbers are well above last year and above the five-year average.

"We are still wanting people to get the vaccine, simply because there are still some strains that can be prevented".

The guidelines come just as flu season is at its peak this year. This is because the vaccine does not contain enough egg protein (ovalbumin) to trigger an allergic reaction, even among those with the most severe egg allergy.

Historically, people with egg allergies weren't able to take advantage of the same flu vaccinations that the general population can.

Ferguson said besides getting a flu shot, people should wash their hands frequently and cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze.

Greenhawt, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at Children's Hospital Colorado, estimates that egg allergy affects 2% of children in the United States.

There have been dozens of studies involving thousands of patients with egg allergy who have received a flu shot without allergic reactions - including hundreds with life-threatening egg allergy.

"We are now at the point where any remaining contraindication or special precaution is unnecessary, and there should be no barrier to the egg allergic patient receiving this vaccine in the primary care setting, like any patient may", Greenhawt noted.

One of the main concerns with any vaccine is a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis.

Dr. Wu said they typically start to see flu cases diminish toward the end of April.

"That doesn't rule out that somebody might react to the influenza vaccine", Greenhawt said.

"Our summer was very busy, so the adult side has been having surge issues longer standing that are beyond flu", she said.

"We have to wait and see what happens from there", he said.

The vaccine has been offered to eligible children in reception class and school Years 1 to 4 in primary school.