Health
Egg in Vaccines
By the editors of Babytalk, Babytalk
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Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in infants. Yet some vaccines containing eggs are recommended for all children, whether they've been tested for allergies or not. Should you worry? No. The risk to your baby is both minimal and rare, says John Brenann Meiser, M.D., a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Here's what you need to know:

Which vaccines contain egg? The MMR vaccine, the flu vaccine, and the yellow fever vaccine.

Who's at risk? Very few infants, but talk to your doc if you have a family history of egg allergies.

The bottom line: The MMR vaccine contains such trace amounts of egg that even kids with severe allergies don't react to it. The flu and yellow fever vaccines contain more, so if you're concerned, talk to your doctor about having your baby tested.


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