People with life-threatening allergic reactions to eggs shouldn’t get the flu shot

If you’ve ever had a life-threatening reaction to the flu shot or its components, like antibiotics, gelatin, or any other ingredients, you should try to skip the flu vaccine, the CDC warns. The concern is that it’s likely to happen again, but anaphylaxis is extremely rare.

As for individuals who suffer from an egg allergy, the federal health agency’s guidance is slightly different. While most, but not all, types of the flu vaccine include egg protein, those with egg allergies can still get vaccinated, according to the CDC.

If you have a history of a severe allergy to eggs, meaning you get more than just a simple case of hives when exposed to eggs, you should obtain your vaccine in a medical environment so that you can be monitored.

The recommendation providers get is that if they’re going to give the flu vaccine to someone who has an egg allergy, they should be prepared just in case, explains Cleveland’s medical director at University Hospital Urgent Care Network.

But obviously, if you or a loved one is highly allergic to any of the components, you should speak up beforehand. If you’ve ever had anaphylaxis, speak to your physician about the risks because they might say that you shouldn’t get the flu shot.