Are allergies related to immunisations?
05 Mar 2012
Being immunised does not cause a child to develop allergies.
All vaccines recommended on the standard Australian Immunisation Schedule for children can be given to children with food allergies, including those children with egg allergy. These vaccines include vaccines which protect against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Haemophilus (Hib), Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal C, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chickenpox.
The MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine) can be given to children who have a history of anaphylactic reactions to eggs (severe reactions like problems with breathing, dropping blood pressure, swelling of the face and collapse). Anaphylactic reactions to any vaccine including the MMR are very, very rare. Anaphylactic reactions to the MMR vaccine are not more common in children who have a severe egg allergy.
A history of anaphylaxis to egg (generalised hives, swelling of the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, wheeze, low blood pressure or shock) usually means a person should not have influenza, yellow fever, and Q fever vaccines. But if there is a significant risk from these diseases your child should be seen by an allergy specialist who can decide on the risk of receiving these vaccines and may give these vaccines under observation.
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