Children are normally required to be provided various vaccines in accordance to their age. However, not too many people are familiar with the problems that are linked with adverse reactions to vaccines. Although these reactions are rare, they definitely require you to be familiar with them. These reactions are generally caused by hypersensitivity to chickens, eggs, gelatin, antibiotics, and mercury.
Allergies from Antibiotics
Polio vaccines, MMR or measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, and varicella vaccines contain neomycin which could cause minor skin rashes. If your child, however, has allergy with this type of antibiotic, it is advised that you do not subject your child to this type of vaccine. On the other hand, children that are allergic to penicillin antibiotic are safe to take this vaccine as no vaccine contains this type of antibiotic.
Allergies from Eggs and/or Chickens
The vaccine commonly called as the “flu shot” or the influenza vaccine has egg proteins. People, in general, who have an allergic reaction to eggs or chicken, should never take this kind of vaccine.
For people who travels especially in tropical countries like Africa, chances are you may be prone to Yellow fever. However, yellow fever vaccines also do contain egg protein. What can be done to resolve this is to take two skin tests using the vaccine. If both skin tests did not show any reaction, you or your child may proceed with taking the vaccine. If any of the two tests presented a reaction, this means that a desensitization process has started.
The MMR vaccines are safe to be taken by children with egg or chicken allergies. Children with dramatic egg allergies are also improbable to have any adverse reaction to this type of vaccine.
Allergies from Gelatin
There are a number of live vaccines that use gelatin as their stabilizing agent. Children who have severe allergic reaction to gelatin are advised to take skin tests first before taking these vaccines. Gelatins either come from boiled hogs or cows. Most gelatins come from boiled cows. Vaccines that contain gelatin usually come from boiled hogs. You will need to determine first what type of gelatin your child is allergic to. Vaccines that have gelatin in their ingredients are MMR, yellow fever vaccines, and varicella.
Allergies from Mercury
Mercury also referred to as thimerosal in vaccines, is a component found in some vaccines. This is usually used in killing contaminants in the body. Although severe allergic reactions to this ingredient are rare, children who are allergic to mercury should still be cautious. Vaccines that use this as an ingredient are usually those that are found in a multi-dose tablets.
Vaccines that are typically included in the routine schedule are free from mercury or thimerosal or contain only a small amount. There are also a number of inactivated influenza vaccines available. However, these types of influenza vaccines have limited supply. The PHS or the Public Health Service and the AAP or the American Academy of Pediatrics has already taken steps to eliminate the use of mercury as an ingredient to vaccines. Preservatives were also required, especially those for multi-dose vials to avoid any forms of microbial contamination that happens when the vial is unwrapped. All manufacturers of these types of vaccines were persuaded to look for other options of preventing contamination.
