Influenza vaccination (the “flu shot”) is recommended yearly by primary care physicians for at-risk patients, namely children, older adults, anyone with respiratory diseases, and anyone exposed to these persons. So, essentially, EVERYBODY.

There are several forms available, but the most notable difference is the well-known “shot” or the “mist,” which is sniffed into the nose. The traditional flu shot contains trace amounts of egg and must be given cautiously in those patients with egg allergy with a special protocol in our office. The FluMist form carries a risk of wheezing, and although it does not contain egg, has not been recommended for those with asthma.

A recent study, called the SNIFFLE project, studied the FluMist in patients with both egg allergy and asthma that was well controlled and proved that the FluMist is safe in these patients. “The SNIFFLE project has demonstrated that it is very likely that the [FluMist] vaccine would not cause allergic reactions due to the egg content in the vaccine, even in children with previous anaphylaxis to egg. Furthermore, we did not see children with well-controlled asthma experience lower airway symptoms following vaccination more than that reported for non-asthmatic, low-risk children,” first author Paul J. Turner, FRACP, Ph.D., with the Imperial College of London, said.

Within the next few weeks, we will be getting in our shipments of this year’s flu vaccines for our patients. We will be administering traditional flu shots with the egg allergy protocol we’ve used previously, as well as giving the FluMist to those eligible patients. Call to reserve your spot today!