Safe administration of the measles vaccine to children allergic to

eggs.

Author:James JM; Burks AW; Roberson PK; Sampson HA

Address:Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research

Institute, Little Rock, USA.

Source: N Engl J Med, 332: 19, 1995 May 11, 1262-6

Abstract

BACKGROUND. The safety of administering the combined

measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to patients who are allergic to

eggs has been debated for decades because of concern about potential

anaphylaxis, since the live attenuated virus used in the vaccine is

grown in cultured chick-embryo fibroblasts. METHODS. We recruited 54

children (mean age, 18.5 months) who had not previously been vaccinated

and were allergic to eggs. The children's histories of allergy were

confirmed with skin tests and double-blind, placebo-controlled

food-challenge tests; some children also underwent skin testing with

the MMR vaccine. We then routinely administered the vaccine to the

children in one subcutaneous (0.5-ml) dose. RESULTS. All 54 children

had positive results on skin testing with egg. Allergy to eggs was

confirmed in 26 of the children by convincing histories of anaphylaxis

after the ingestion of eggs, in 22 children by food-challenge tests,

and in 6 patients by convincing histories of recent allergic reactions

occurring after the ingestion of eggs. Of the 17 children who underwent

skin testing with the MMR vaccine, 3 had positive results. All 54

children received the MMR vaccine as a single subcutaneous injection;

none had an immediate or delayed adverse reaction. CONCLUSIONS. The MMR

vaccine can be safely administered in a single dose to children with

allergy to eggs, even those with severe hypersensitivity.

 

Language of Publication

English

Unique Identifier

95223331

retour à navigation du site

Back to top of page