Children with egg allergies, including those with a history of egg allergy, can now safely receive the seasonal flu vaccine, according to new research from the University of Michigan. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not recommend seasonal flu vaccination for children with egg allergies. New research from the University of Michigan has helped revise this recommendation, which was developed in 2011, so that the warning is only for children with severe egg allergies. As the flu season begins to take hold, the latest study published in Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol will be a boon to children with severe egg allergies. Matthew Greenhut said. In the study, none of the children with severe egg allergies had an allergic reaction to the vaccine, Greenhout said. Matthew Greenhut is an M.D. and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Greenhout, M.D., who also holds an M.B.A. and M.S., is the first author of the study and an assistant professor of allergy and immunology at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The influenza vaccine is grown in chicken embryos that contain large amounts of residual egg albumin, a major egg allergen,” Greenhout said. This fact had once raised concerns about the safety of vaccines received by children with egg allergies.” ”But this study shows that both children with allergic reactions and children with severe egg allergy can receive the vaccine. This is important because we know that children can avoid influenza through the decisive link of vaccination, especially given how widespread and heavy the epidemic has been this year. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.” Influenza A (H1N1) is responsible for up to 21,156 hospital admissions of children under the age of 5 each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that influenza activity has spread at a high rate and widely throughout the country. Thirty U.S. states and New York City have continued to report high influenza activity from Jan. 6 to 12, with a total of 29 pediatric deaths related to influenza from 2012 to 2013. Less than one-third of children with food allergies have asthma, and this group is particularly vulnerable to influenza. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) this month declared that influenza vaccination is safe and can even be used for children with severe egg allergies. In this recommendation, the ACAAI cites a study from the University of Michigan. The history of egg allergy is a relatively common food allergy in children, and once over the age of 16, 70 percent of adolescents get rid of the allergy. Studies have shown that a single dose of flu vaccine is safe, Greenhout added, adding that the past approach of splitting injections over two doses to minimize allergic reactions is unnecessary. He added that skin tests have also been unnecessary in the past to reduce the risk of vaccination, as demonstrated in a 2009 study at the University of Michigan. Greenhout said the only cautionary note is that children with egg allergies should be observed for 30 minutes after vaccination in a medically accessible location, including one that provides basic medical care. From there, they can be closely monitored for allergic reactions and, if so, can receive prompt corrective treatment. ”Because egg allergy is, after all, 2% prevalent among children, and what we know is that a large number of children are not vaccinated against influenza. The results of this research will allay the concerns of parents of affected children about the vaccine and will hopefully help more children avoid the flu.” He said.