Question:
A while ago someone asked about flu shots and eggs. I can't
remember whether they got an answer but here's a link I found
at the CDC web site that is helpful: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/2004.htm
It has a lot of information about the virus but the bottom
line as far as egg allergies is "both vaccines might contain
limited amounts of residual egg protein."
The link has a lot of other technical information about the
vaccine which I don't claim to understand. :-)
Answer:
What it
says basically is which viruses the CDC belives will be
at large this flu season in North America and which flu
strains are equivalent to these and can be more easily
reproduced in the fertilised hens eggs used to grow
the vaccine. It also point out that various manufacturers
use different methods of inactivating the virus which
may leave different residues besides the chicken residue
in the purified vaccine. Also that the preservatives
in the vaccine may differ from batch to batch. Maybe you can answer another question for me? Someone sent
me email to ask me whether any of the flu *shots* (not the
nasal delivery system) contained live virus and, if so,
how could a patient know if he/she was getting the live
virus or inactivated virus? "Live" virus would only be given in very exceptional
circumstances since the reaction would make the individual
receiving the shot infectious and somewhat ill for at least
a couple of weeks which means everyone around them would be
exposed to the influenza.
Now in a isolated situation say a submarine
crew or something of that nature it might be usable but can
you imagine how disruptive it could be of the operation
of any sort of facility? Even if you gave everyone on the
facility the same shot at the same time?
I doubt anyone is getting the "live" virus except when
they must avoid the usual vaccine.
Anyone getting the live virus shot would be advised to
avoid contact with anyone else for at least that period
of time and to maintain separate laundry & toliet facilities
at a minimum. So getting those instructions would be the
best way to tell if you had been given "live" vaccine.
I use "live" as virus may not be alive in the same way
as other micro-organisms and macro-organisms.
it was me. No I didn't get any replies on that one. Thank
you for remembering it. I had my first flu shot and I felt
bad and started going through a lot of flares with my FMS. I had some allergy
testing for another problem that
showed a mild allergy to eggs. I didn't know about it. Anyway,
I will check out that Url when I get a chance. No more
flu shots for me though.
