Majority of allergy patients can be vaccinated against swine flu after evaluation by an allergist

Once supply catches up with the immediate demand for H1N1 "swine" flu vaccine, some allergy patients who could benefit from the vaccine may needlessly avoid it due to confusion over who should, and should not, be vaccinated, cautions Dr. Peter R. Smith, a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with Allergy Partners of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Dr. Smith also serves as a physician adviser of the Planning District 16 School Health Team for Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline.

"There is a lot of misunderstanding about whether people with food allergies, especially egg allergies, can receive flu vaccines," Dr. Smith says. "This is because flu vaccines contain a number of components, one of which is egg protein.

"The vast majority of patients with egg allergy and/or suspected sensitivity to other components of the vaccine can be vaccinated following an evaluation by an allergist. Even patients who have experienced adverse reactions to vaccines in the past can often be inoculated safely using allergy guidelines."

The guidelines, outlined in the October 2009 supplement to the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, include skin testing and a graded challenge in certain cases.

Patients who want to learn more about vaccine guidelines can visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web sites.

SOURCE Allergy Partners of Fredericksburg