Georgia AAP Communication
September 26, 2016
School-based Influenza Clinics in Georgia and an Update on Egg Allergies and Influenza Vaccine Administration
As has been the case for the past few years, schools throughout Georgia will be working with local county health departments to administer influenza vaccine in the school setting. We know that the best place for children to receive their flu shot is from the pediatrician who takes care of their child, however not all children have a medical home and making the vaccine available while children are at school can be beneficial.
In the past, the influenza vaccine of choice for use in school clinics has been FluMist. Since FluMist is not available this year, the Georgia Immunization Program believes they will see a drop off in the number of children being immunized at schools throughout Georgia. This may increase the number of children coming to your office for influenza vaccine.
Also, as an update, recent studies with inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) have indicated that a severe allergic reaction to egg-based influenza vaccine in a person with an egg allergy is very unlikely. Numerous studies have looked at egg-allergic patients receiving IIV3, LAIV in which mild allergic reactions occur and no anaphylactic reaction occurrences.
For the 2016-17 influenza season, the ACIP has recommended if a person has a history of egg allergy and only experiences mild symptoms such as hives they can receive the flu vaccine and providers may consider 15 minutes of monitoring post vaccination versus 30 minutes. If they have experienced any other symptoms (angioedema, resp. distress) the flu vaccine should be administered in an appropriate medical setting and supervised by a health care provider who can manage emergent situations. If a patient has suffered a previous severe allergic reaction after receipt of the flu vaccine it is a contraindication and should not be administered.
Harry Keyserling, MD, FAAP
Chair, Committee on Infectious Disease
For questions or concerns regarding this or any other immunization information, please contact the Chapter’s Immunization Coordinator, Mike Chaney at (404) 881-5094 or [email protected]