How Can Parents Help
Doctors give allergy shots with needles that are smaller than those used for most childhood vaccinations, so they’re less painful. Still, for some kids a shot can seem scary. A parent’s positive and supportive attitude can help. Treatment goes much better when parents are confident and committed to the immunotherapy.
While getting a shot, your child can squeeze your hand, sing a song, watch a video, or use another distraction that will take the focus off the injection.
Understanding the benefits of allergy shots and how they work will help you and your child accept them as routine.
They Contain Allergens So Reactions Can Happen
Allergy shots work by exposing patients to tiny amounts of whatever it is they’re allergic to. The amount of allergen in each injection increases gradually over time so the body can build up a tolerance.
“It changes the person’s immune system from having a bad reaction to pretty much ignoring the allergen,” says Dr. Dziadzio. “For some people, it decreases their allergies enough so they can come off medicine entirely, and for some it helps their medicines be more effective.”
But because allergens are involved, reactions to the shots themselves are possible. These can range from swelling and itching at the injection site to sneezing and a runny nose, to, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock. That’s why it’s recommended that patients stay at their doctor’s office for 30 minutes after each shot so they can be monitored and treated for reactions if they do occur.
Should You Get A Flu Shot If You Have An Egg Allergy
For many years, flu shots were not recommended for people with egg allergies. The vaccine is grown in chicken eggs and it was thought that this could cause a serious allergic reaction in people with egg allergies. For this reason, flu shots were avoided by people with egg allergies. However, current research and data show that the risk of this type of reaction, even in people with significant egg allergies, is extremely low.
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Where To Get A Flu Shot
You have many options for where to get a flu shot, including:
- Your healthcare provider’s office
- Flu clinics
Many employers and schools often offer flu shots on-site during special vaccination events as well.
If you have significant health issues or an egg allergy, your healthcare provider’s office is the best place to get your flu shot. Your practitioner should know your medical history and will know if there is any reason you should not have a flu vaccine or if one type is better for you than another. They can also monitor for adverse reactions, if necessary.
Reactions To Allergy Shots
Reactions to allergy shots are common. Most reactions are local . Rarely, reactions can affect your entire body. This is referred to as a systemic reaction, and it can be dangerous. For this reason you must stay in our office for 30 minutes following every shot appointment. Additionally, you should not exercise for 2 hours after your shots.
If you are having asthma symptoms when you are scheduled for an allergy shot it is important to tell your nurse. Allergy shots can worsen asthma symptoms.
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What To Think About
Although some of the costs may not be covered by your provincial health plan, allergy shots may cost no more than the combined cost of medicine, doctor and emergency room visits, and missed days of school or work over several years. But you may need to take regular shots for 3 to 5 years. And it may take a year or more for symptoms to improve. If the treatment schedule would be hard for you to follow, you may want to think about other options. During your treatment, you should see your doctor at least once every 6 to 12 months.
Allergy shots treat an allergy to just one allergen or a very closely related group of them, such as grass pollens. If you are allergic to more than one type of allergen, you may need to receive shots for each type of allergen to relieve all of your symptoms. The allergens can usually be combined into one or two shots.
Children younger than 2 should not have allergy shots. Children ages 3 to 4 may find it hard to get many shots over a long period of time. Talk with your doctor about whether allergy shots are right for your child.
Older adults may be taking medicines or have other medical conditions that may increase the risk of a severe reaction to allergy shots.
You must report any delayed reaction to an allergy shot. Late reactions can happen any time within 24 hours after a shot. Reactions may just affect the injection site or they may affect your overall body .
Allergy shots should not be used when you:
What Does The Flu Shot Do
By exposing you to a dead or weakened version of the flu virus, the flu shot causes your body to develop antibodies to the virus about two weeks after vaccination.
The antibodies can protect you from getting the flu. They can also protect you from developing severe influenza complications such as pneumonia, sinus infections, and ear infections if you do get sick.
The effectiveness of the flu shot can vary based on your age and health as well as how well the vaccine matches the flu viruses that are circulating in your area.
Still, the flu vaccine can reduce your risk of having to seek medical attention due to the flu by up to 40 percent to 60 percent.
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Vaccinations Allergy Shots And Other Medication Injections
The Vaden Immunization, Allergy and Injection Clinic provides routine immunizations, allergy injections, and other injectable medications for eligible Stanford students. Students without Cardinal Care can still get their routine vaccines at Vaden from the Walgreens Pharmacy. Any student with Kaiser insurance should contact Kaiser.
What Changed And Why
Recent studies have shown that the chance of allergic reaction after a vaccine is incredibly low. According to the CDC, “In a Vaccine Safety Datalink study, there were ten cases of anaphylaxis after more than 7.4 million doses of inactivated flu vaccine, trivalent given without other vaccines, . Most of these cases of anaphylaxis were not related to the egg protein present in the vaccine. CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices continue to review available data regarding anaphylaxis cases following flu vaccines.”
This means that out of 7.4 million people that received a flu shot, only ten people experienced anaphylaxisthe most serious type of allergic reactionand most of those were not related to an egg allergy.
This is a case where the benefit outweighs the risk. The chance of having a true, serious allergic reaction to a flu shot is miniscule. The benefits are far greater. Although it is still possible to get the flu after you have been vaccinated, the chances of having severe symptoms and complications are much lower. Most people who get the flu after having received the flu shot experience a shorter duration of the illness and milder symptoms.
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Why Are Allergy Shots Used
An allergy is when the body’s immune system overreacts to a usually harmless substance. Things that cause allergic reactions are called allergens. Common allergens include dust mites, molds, pollen, pets with fur or feathers, stinging insects, and foods.
The body reacts to the allergen by releasing chemicals, one of which is histamine. This release can cause symptoms such as wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, a stuffy nose, and more. Some allergic reactions can be serious.
The best way to prevent or control allergy symptoms is to avoid allergens. Allergists look for causes of an allergic reaction with skin tests and blood tests. Based on the test results, they can recommend treatments, including medicines and ways to avoid allergens.
If these treatments don’t help, the allergist might recommend allergy shots.
How Long To I Have To Keep Getting My Allergy Shots
There are two phases to allergy shot therapy: a build-up phase and a maintenance phase.
- Build-up phase: In this phase you will start with a low dose injection and build to a higher dose of allergens over time. For typical immunotherapy this phase lasts from 6 to 10 months, depending on how often you get your shots and how well you tolerate them. The build-up phase for venom therapy generally lasts for 10 weeks.
- Maintenance phase: When you reach your effective therapeutic dose you will begin the maintenance phase. During this phase you receive your allergy shots less often, usually every 3 to 4 weeks. The maintenance phase typically lasts 3-5 years .
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Flu Vaccine And People With Egg Allergies
Summary:
CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have not changed their recommendations regarding egg allergy and receipt of influenza vaccines. The recommendations remain the same as those recommended for the 2018-2019 season. Based on those recommendations, people with egg allergies no longer need to be observed for an allergic reaction for 30 minutes after receiving a flu vaccine. People with a history of egg allergy of any severity should receive any licensed, recommended, and age-appropriate influenza vaccine. Those who have a history of severe allergic reaction to egg should be vaccinated in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting , under the supervision of a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions.
Most flu shots and the nasal spray flu vaccine are manufactured using egg-based technology. Because of this, they contain a small amount of egg proteins, such as ovalbumin. However, studies that have examined the use of both the nasal spray vaccine and flu shots in egg-allergic and non-egg-allergic patients indicate that severe allergic reactions in people with egg allergies are unlikely. A recent CDC study found the rate of anaphylaxis after all vaccines is 1.31 per one million vaccine doses given.
For the 2021-2022 flu season, there are two vaccines licensed for use that are manufactured without the use of eggs and are considered egg-free:
Changes:
Questions & Answers:
How Long Does A Steroid Shot For Allergies Last
Long-lasting steroid shots for allergies can last between three weeks and three months. During this time, the steroid is slowly released into your body.
A long-lasting shot may mean that you only require one shot per allergy season. However, long-lasting shots come with risks. In particular, theres no way to remove the steroid from your body if you experience side effects.
There are few studies examining the effectiveness of steroid shots over time, as the risk of serious side effects increases with repeated use.
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How Often Do You Get Allergy Shots
At first, youâll go to your doctor once or twice a week for several months. Youâll get the shot in your upper arm. It’ll contain a tiny amount of the thing youâre allergic to — pollen, pet dander, mold, dust mites, or bee venom, for example.
The dose will go up gradually until you get to whatâs called a maintenance dose. After that, youâll usually get a shot every 2-4 weeks for 4-5 months. Then your doctor will gradually increase the time between shots until youâre getting them about once a month for 3-5 years. During that time, your allergy symptoms will get better and may even go away.
If your symptoms donât improve after a year of shots, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.
Who Should And Who Should Not Get A Flu Vaccine
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an influenza vaccine every season, with rare exceptions. For the 2021-2022 flu season, three main types of influenza vaccines will be available. Two kindsthe inactivated influenza vaccines and the recombinant influenza vaccine are injectable . The third type, the live attenuated influenza vaccine , is given by nasal spray. Different influenza vaccines are approved for different age groups. Some people should not get some types of influenza vaccines, and some people should not receive influenza vaccines at all . Everyone who is vaccinated should receive a vaccine that is appropriate for their age and health status. There is no preference for any one vaccine over another.
This page includes information on who should and who should not get an influenza vaccine, and who should talk to a health care professional before vaccination. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions regarding which influenza vaccines are best for you and your family.
All persons aged 6 months of age and older are recommended for annual flu vaccination, with rare exception.
Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.
People who can get the flu shot:
Flu shots are appropriate for most people.
People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot include:
People who SHOULD NOT get a nasal spray vaccine:
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Statements And Guidelines Regarding Allergy To Covid
The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has stated that unless there is a history of allergic reactions to any component of the COVID-19 vaccines, there is no contraindication for their administration. In that respect, a previous history of allergy to foods, aeroallergens, or insect venoms is not a contraindication for the vaccines administration.34 A previous diagnosis of allergy to medicaments or vaccines, however, should identify the specific component or excipient that triggered the reaction, in order to rule out that it is one of the excipients of the vaccines for COVID-19. Deeper information about the diagnosis and management of severe allergic reactions after COVID-19 vaccination can be found in the EAACI statement on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.34
Vaccination centers should be prepared to recognize and treat severe reactions to the administrated vaccines and to provide continuous medical supervision during the vaccination period.
What You Can Do
If you have a known egg allergy and have experienced severe symptoms in the past, after being vaccinated for this flu, talk to your healthcare provider about two egg-free flu shots approved by the FDA:
- Flublok quadrivalent
- Flucelvax quadrivalent
With that said, any severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, whether it contained egg protein or not, is a contraindication for future use.
If you’ve had an adverse reaction following a vaccination, report it to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . This not only provides the CDC with valuable information to ensure future vaccine safety, but it is also the first step toward formally recording the incident if you decide to file a claim.
Claims can be filed with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a no-fault initiative that allows you to resolve vaccine injury cases without the cost of legal representation. Even if a finding isn’t made, you may still be eligible to receive financial compensation through a settlement.
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Although I Am Not Allergic To Egg I Developed A Generalized Reaction To The Flu Vaccine Last Year And Therefore Should Not Receive Any More Flu Vaccinations
An allergy to egg must be distinguished from an allergy to the influenza vaccine. A prior severe allergic reaction to the influenza vaccine, regardless of the components suspected to be responsible for the reaction, is a contraindication to receiving a future influenza vaccine. An evaluation by an allergist is recommended, as some flu vaccine components triggering reactions are also present in other vaccines and can be identified.
What Can Affect How Well They Work
The effectiveness of the treatment does vary. Often this is to do with the length of the program a person is undertaking or the dose of the allergen.
Some people will have lasting relief while others may have a relapse after treatment has stopped. If a person experiences no improvement after 12 months of allergy shots, it could be due to several factors:
- wrong dose of the allergen in the allergy shot
- missed allergens in the individual when they are first evaluated
- high levels of the allergen in the environment the person is in
- exposure to non-allergic triggers, such as tobacco smoke
If allergy shots are not working, for whatever reason, then an allergist or immunologist will be able to discuss alternative treatment options.
Normally, the only side effect that people experience after having an allergy shot is redness or swelling at the site of the injection. This can happen immediately after the injection or a few hours afterward.
In some cases, people can experience increased allergy symptoms, such as:
- sneezing
- nausea
- dizziness
Anaphylactic shock needs to be treated immediately with an injection of epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline.
A second anaphylactic reaction called a biphasic reaction can occur up to 12 hours after the initial shock.
Allergy shots have traditionally been the most common form of immunotherapy and are known as subcutaneous immunotherapy or SCIT.
This treatment is when an allergen is injected under the skin.
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Can The Flu Vaccine Make You Sick
Lets just clear this up now: You cant get the flu from the flu vaccine, Dr. Adalja says. Seriously, this is not a thing that is even remotely possible.
However, in very rare cases, a flu vaccine can cause issues in people with pre-existing medical circumstances. The flu vaccine is safe for most people, but if you have any allergies, like to egg proteins or any other ingredients that could be in the vaccine, such as gelatin, its important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before getting inoculated. Those with an egg allergy can get the flu vaccine, but need to discuss with their doctor which specific vaccine is right for them, Dr. Agarwal says.
Overall, the CDC recommends speaking to a health care professional prior to getting a flu vaccine if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Youre allergic to eggs or any other potential vaccine ingredients, such as gelatin.
- Youve ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome .
- Youre not feeling well.