Safety of influenza vaccination in children with allergic diseases

Global guidelines strongly recommend annual influenza vaccination in people age 6 months and older, particularly in asthmatic children. There is no doubt about the benefit of influenza vaccination in asthmatic children. However, some of the vaccine's components may elicit an IgE mediated hypersensitivity or disease exacerbation, including life-threatening events, in children with allergic diseases. As a result, concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine still continue today. The influenza vaccine is grown on hens' eggs and contains a trace of egg protein. Consequently, it can provoke an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis in children with an egg allergy or exacerbation in those with asthma. Therefore, we need to know the risks and benefits of the influenza vaccine and the best strategy for safe vaccination. Although most guidelines have consistently reported the safety of influenza vaccination in children with allergic disease, and have recommended annual administration, safety concerns impede guideline-based performance in practice. The safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination for allergic children are summarized in the present review.