FLU JAB - EGG FREE - OR NOT

[Bardear]

I have COPD and am allergic to eggs. I used to attend the hospital clinic for the "egg free" flu jab as until about 5 years ago my GP was able to get this. I was one of very many at this hospital clinic.

For the past 2 or 3 years I have not been recalled. The telephone number of the clinic is now unobtainable. The first year the GP was able to prescribe and give me the needed injection. Last year I was informed that the "egg free" flu jab was no longer being made but the government had advised an alternative "normal jab which only had a certain amount of egg in it and I might or might not get side effects. Antihistamine would be on standby if needed. I declined this jab due to the memory of rather uncomfortable past side effects i.e; hives, urticaria, nausea, migraine and stomach cramps.

I have not eaten an egg in its natural form for at least 35 years though strangely I am still able to eat biscuits and cakes symptom free.

I am not the only person with an egg allergy but it seems to me that if we don't have the normal flu jab we and hundreds of others with COPD or worse who have the allergy will just have to get the flu and cope with the symptoms and fight the ensuing infections.

LOL

Bardear

[knitter]

My grandmother was allergic to eggs, she came out in hives.

I wonder if you could get the egg free jab privately?

Mind you, I have had a text to say that my health centre has run out of normal flu vaccine already, and I haven't had mine yet.

[goat-lady]

I'm sure I read that egg-free vaccine was available. If u don't get any sense from your docs try asking at a pharmacy giving vaccinations- which u don't pay for if u are eligible. Pharmacists are usually v clued-up. Good luck.

[GhostlyDinosaur]

I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis last year and advised to have the flu jab. I also have asthma, and have been ignoring advice about flu jabs for years as I am allergic to eggs.

Last year I asked my respiratory consultant about egg-free flu jabs. He referred me to my GP, who did the research and discovered that it is not available. Both of them were hoping to find egg-flu jabs as they have other patients needing them as well as myself.

No further news....

Good luck to everyone in this situation.

Rachel