BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding allergic reactions to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in egg-allergic patients. To date there have been only isolated reports describing egg-allergic patients with anaphylaxis to MMR vaccine. OBJECTIVE: Our study was designed to monitor possible adverse reactions in egg-allergic children receiving MMR vaccine. METHODS: Initially prick and intradermal testing with MMR vaccine was carried out. The first 120 children were screened in this fashion, with frequent irritant reactions occurring with skin testing but no subsequent reactions when full-strength vaccine was administered. The subsequent 380 children received the undiluted MMR vaccine without prior skin testing. DESIGN: Over an 8-year period, MMR vaccine was given to 500 egg-allergic children in outpatient setting. RESULTS: No anaphylactic reactions were observed in any of the 500 children immunized with MMR vaccine. Five children showed minor rashes within two hours of administration of the MMR vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: It is therefore felt the previously reported adverse reactions to MMR vaccine represent reactions to other vaccine components rather than the suspected egg antigens. The presence of egg allergy should therefore not be considered a contraindication to MMR immunization.
BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding allergic reactions to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in egg-allergic patients. To date there have been only isolated reports describing egg-allergic patients with anaphylaxis to MMR vaccine. OBJECTIVE: Our study was designed to monitor possible adverse reactions in egg-allergic children receiving MMR vaccine. METHODS: Initially prick and intradermal testing with MMR vaccine was carried out. The first 120 children were screened in this fashion, with frequent irritant reactions occurring with skin testing but no subsequent reactions when full-strength vaccine was administered. The subsequent 380 children received the undiluted MMR vaccine without prior skin testing. DESIGN: Over an 8-year period, MMR vaccine was given to 500 egg-allergic children in outpatient setting. RESULTS: No anaphylactic reactions were observed in any of the 500 children immunized with MMR vaccine. Five children showed minor rashes within two hours of administration of the MMR vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: It is therefore felt the previously reported adverse reactions to MMR vaccine represent reactions to other vaccine components rather than the suspected egg antigens. The presence of egg allergy should therefore not be considered a contraindication to MMR immunization.