
The measles component of the MMR vaccine is grown in cultures of fibroblasts from chick embryos, leading to concerns about the presence of egg protein in the vaccine and its potential effects on those with egg allergies. However, modern MMR vaccines contain insignificant or no egg protein, and an allergy to eggs should not delay measles vaccination. While anaphylaxis after administering measles-containing vaccines is rare, it has occurred in individuals with and without a history of egg allergy. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals with egg allergies receive the MMR vaccine in a setting capable of managing vaccine-associated adverse reactions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety of MMR vaccine for people with egg allergy | MMR vaccine is generally considered safe for people with egg allergy as it contains insignificant or no egg protein. |
| Precautions | No special precautions are necessary for people with minor egg hypersensitivity. |
| People with a history of anaphylaxis or severe cardiorespiratory reactions to eggs should be vaccinated in a hospital setting. | |
| People with a history of allergic reactions to gelatin should be evaluated by an allergist before receiving the MMR vaccine. | |
| MMR skin testing and graded challenge may be considered for people with a history of anaphylaxis to a measles-containing vaccine, but there is a risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to the test. | |
| MMR vaccine should be administered by persons capable of managing vaccine-associated adverse reactions. | |
| Guidelines | Latest British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) guidance recommends that all children with egg allergy should be immunised in primary care. |
| National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends MMR skin testing for individuals with anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs. | |
| Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) guidelines state that MMR vaccine can be safely administered to egg-allergic individuals and does not contain residual egg allergen. |
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What You'll Learn
- The MMR vaccine is grown in chick embryo cultures, which may contain egg protein
- Anaphylaxis after the MMR vaccine is rare and has occurred in people with and without egg allergies
- MMR skin testing is recommended for those with anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs
- Egg allergy is not a contraindication to the MMR vaccine, but precautions should be taken
- The MMR vaccine is generally considered safe for those with egg allergies, but there are rare reactions

The MMR vaccine is grown in chick embryo cultures, which may contain egg protein
The MMR vaccine is grown in chick embryo cultures, which may contain insignificant or no egg protein. The concern regarding the presence of egg protein in the vaccine and its advisability for individuals allergic to eggs is long-standing. However, the evidence suggests that the MMR vaccine is safe for children with egg allergies.
The British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) recommends that all children with egg allergies should be immunised in primary care. The latest guidelines also suggest that children with mild egg allergies can be safely vaccinated without additional precautions. In the United Kingdom, immunisation guidelines recommend that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose shortly after their first birthday.
The rare allergic reactions to the MMR vaccine in egg-allergic individuals are attributed to non-egg ingredients such as gelatin. Anaphylaxis following vaccines is rare, occurring at a rate of approximately one per million doses for many vaccines. The risk of anaphylaxis from an additional MMR vaccine may outweigh the benefits in some cases, and these patients should be treated by multidisciplinary teams.
The MMR vaccine is generally considered safe for egg-allergic individuals because it contains insignificant or no egg protein. The cumulative data indicates the safety of measles immunisation in individuals with a history of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs. Egg allergy is not a contraindication to immunisation with MMR, and it can be administered routinely without prior skin testing. However, immunisation should occur in appropriate facilities capable of managing vaccine-associated adverse reactions.
In summary, while the MMR vaccine is grown in chick embryo cultures, which may contain egg protein, it is safe for individuals with egg allergies. The risk of allergic reactions is rare, and the vaccine can be administered safely in most cases without additional precautions. However, it is important to seek medical advice and ensure immunisation occurs in appropriate facilities to manage any potential adverse reactions.
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Anaphylaxis after the MMR vaccine is rare and has occurred in people with and without egg allergies
Anaphylaxis following vaccines is rare, occurring at a rate of approximately one per million doses. Anaphylaxis after the MMR vaccine is rare and has occurred in people with and without egg allergies. The MMR vaccine is generally considered safe for children with egg allergies because modern MMR vaccines are grown in chick embryo fibroblast cultures containing insignificant or no egg protein.
The measles virus used in the MMR vaccine is grown in cultures of fibroblasts from chick embryos, and there have been concerns about the possible presence of egg protein in the vaccines and whether they should be administered to individuals allergic to eggs. However, the majority of life-threatening allergic reactions to the MMR vaccine have been reported in children who are not allergic to eggs.
Guidelines from the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) recommend that all children with egg allergies should be immunised in primary care. Children who have experienced anaphylaxis from the vaccine itself should be assessed by an allergist. In the UK, immunisation guidelines recommend that all children, except those with contraindications, receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. Using data on live births and an estimate of a 1% prevalence rate of egg allergies in early childhood, it is estimated that in England and Wales, at least 5760 MMR vaccinations are administered to children aged 1-2 years who are allergic to eggs.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has revised its recommendations for MMR immunisation in individuals allergic to eggs. According to NACI, all immunisations should be administered by personnel capable of managing vaccine-associated adverse reactions, such as anaphylaxis, and should occur in appropriate facilities. Egg allergy is not a contraindication to MMR immunisation. Immunisation can be administered routinely without prior skin testing, but it should take place where adequate facilities are available to manage anaphylaxis.
In a Canadian study, 500 egg-allergic children, including 33 with respiratory distress associated with egg ingestion, were safely immunised. Skin testing was abandoned after the first 120 children due to its lack of predictiveness. More recently, 54 children with egg allergies, including three with positive MMR skin tests, were routinely immunised without problems.
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MMR skin testing is recommended for those with anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs
The measles component of the MMR vaccine is grown in cultures of fibroblasts from chick embryos, which has raised concerns about the presence of egg protein in the vaccine and whether it is safe for individuals allergic to eggs. However, the amount of ovalbumin in the vaccine is very low, and it is unlikely to cause a serious allergic reaction in most people.
The British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) recommends that all children with egg allergies should be immunised in primary care. The latest guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) states that measles immunization can be administered routinely without prior skin testing, even in individuals with a history of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to hens' eggs. This is because anaphylaxis after measles-containing vaccines is rare and has occurred in people with and without egg allergies.
However, NACI previously recommended MMR skin testing for individuals with anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs due to rare anaphylactic reactions after measles-containing vaccines. This recommendation was based on the rationale that skin testing could help predict and prevent adverse reactions.
While some studies have reported uneventful routine MMR immunisation in egg-allergic individuals with positive MMR skin tests, others have noted adverse reactions despite the use of MMR skin testing. Skin testing for reactions to the vaccine may lack specificity and sensitivity in predicting serious allergic responses.
In summary, while MMR skin testing was previously recommended for individuals with anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs, recent data and guidance suggest that measles immunization can be safely administered without prior skin testing, even in those with egg allergies. However, it is important to note that immunisation should take place in appropriate facilities with access to adequate resources to manage anaphylaxis if it occurs.
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Egg allergy is not a contraindication to the MMR vaccine, but precautions should be taken
Egg allergy is not a contraindication to the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is generally considered safe for children with egg allergies because it contains insignificant or no egg protein. The vaccine is grown in chick embryo fibroblast cultures, and the amount of egg protein is very low, reducing the likelihood of triggering an allergic reaction.
However, precautions should be taken, especially for individuals with a history of anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs. Anaphylaxis is a rare occurrence following vaccines, but it can happen, and individuals with egg allergies may be at a higher risk. To mitigate this risk, the MMR vaccine should be administered by healthcare professionals capable of managing vaccine-associated adverse reactions, such as anaphylaxis. The vaccination should take place in a facility equipped to handle anaphylaxis.
In addition, prior allergy testing may be considered for individuals with a history of severe egg allergy. Skin prick tests or other allergy assessments can help evaluate the risk of anaphylaxis and determine if the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. In some cases, gradual doses of the vaccine may be administered under the supervision of experienced allergists.
It is important to note that the majority of life-threatening allergic reactions to the MMR vaccine have been reported in children without egg allergies. Therefore, while egg allergy is not a contraindication, it is crucial to consider each patient's medical history and consult with healthcare professionals to ensure the safe administration of the MMR vaccine.
Overall, while egg allergy does not prevent an individual from receiving the MMR vaccine, precautions and additional considerations may be necessary to ensure the safety of the patient.
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The MMR vaccine is generally considered safe for those with egg allergies, but there are rare reactions
The British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) advises that all children with egg allergies should be immunised in primary care. They also recommend that children who have experienced anaphylaxis from the vaccine itself should be assessed by an allergist.
In the United Kingdom, immunisation guidelines recommend that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first shortly after their first birthday, and the second before starting school. The uptake rate for the first dose is 90%, and less than 50% for the second dose. Using data on live births, it is estimated that in England and Wales, at least 5760 vaccinations are administered to children aged between 1 and 2 years who are allergic to eggs.
There have been rare cases of anaphylaxis following the MMR vaccine in individuals with anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs. However, anaphylaxis following vaccines is uncommon, occurring at a rate of approximately one per million doses for many vaccines. In a Canadian study, 500 egg-allergic children, including 33 with respiratory distress associated with egg ingestion, were safely immunised.
In summary, the MMR vaccine is generally safe for those with egg allergies, but there is a small risk of anaphylaxis, as with any vaccine.
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Frequently asked questions
The MMR vaccine is generally considered safe for those with an egg allergy. The vaccine is grown in chick embryo fibroblast cultures containing insignificant or no egg protein.
Prior allergy testing is not required for those with egg allergies. However, individuals with a history of anaphylaxis to egg ingestion should be vaccinated in a setting where anaphylaxis can be managed.
Injection site reactions (local pain, redness and swelling), fever, muscle aches, irritability or worsened eczema are common side effects of the MMR vaccine and are not indicative of an allergy. However, an allergic reaction to the vaccine can result in anaphylaxis, which is rare.
Egg allergy is not a contraindication to the MMR vaccine. The vaccine has been safely administered to large numbers of egg-allergic individuals. However, individuals with a history of anaphylaxis to egg ingestion should consult a doctor before getting vaccinated.











































