[MMR vaccine and egg allergy. Experience in a hospital immunization unit]. / Vacuna triple vírica y alergia al huevo. Experiencia en una unidad de vacunación hospitalaria.

INTRODUCTION: We review the scientific evidence on the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (produced in chicken embryo cell culture) in children with egg allergy. Data on the reactogenicity observed with this vaccine in a large series of children with this type of allergy immunized in an hospital immunization unit are presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational prospective study was performed in the International Immunization Unit of the Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Service of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital from March 2004 to December 2005. Demographic variables, clinical history of allergy, and the adverse reactions observed 30 minutes after vaccine administration were analyzed. RESULT: A total of 140 patients (106 referred for the first MMR vaccine dose, and 34 for the second) were evaluated. Of these, 75.7 % showed clinical signs after egg ingestion (severe reactions were described in only seven patients: respiratory distress in six and systemic anaphylaxis in one). The MMR vaccine was administered to 121 children. No significant adverse reactions were observed (17.8 % of the vaccinated children developed mild local symptoms). CONCLUSIONS: According to current scientific evidence and the data obtained in this study, the MMR vaccine is safe in patients with egg allergy.

Vacuna triple vírica y alergia al huevo. Experiencia en una unidad de vacunación hospitalaria / MMR vaccine and egg allergy. Experience in a hospital immunization unit

Introducción En este estudio se revisan las evidencias científicas disponibles sobre la seguridad de la vacuna triple vírica convencional (cultivada en fibroblastos de embriones de pollo) en niños con alergia al huevo, y se evalúa la reactogenicidad vacunal en una serie amplia de niños con este tipo de alergia inmunizados con triple vírica en una unidad de vacunación hospitalaria. Material y métodos Estudio observacional prospectivo, realizado en la Unidad de Vacunación Internacional del Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Epidemiología del Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, entre marzo de 2004 y diciembre de 2005. Se analizan variables demográficas, las relativas a los antecedentes de alergia y la reactogenicidad apreciada tras la observación directa del niño durante los 30 min posteriores a la vacunación. Resultados Se han incluido en el estudio 140 pacientes (106 en primera dosis de vacuna triple vírica y 34 en segunda). El 75,7 % había presentado manifestaciones clínicas tras la ingesta de huevo o de alimentos que lo contenían (sólo siete niños habían presentado manifestaciones graves, en forma de dificultad respiratoria en 6 casos y de anafilaxia en uno). Se administró la vacuna convencional a 121 niños, y no se observó ninguna reacción adversa importante (el 17,8 % de ellos presentó reacción local leve en el punto de inyección). Conclusiones Las evidencias científicas actuales, así como los datos del presente estudio, sustentan la seguridad de la vacuna triple vírica en personas con hipersensibilidad al huevo

Introduction We review the scientific evidence on the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (produced in chicken embryo cell culture) in children with egg allergy. Data on the reactogenicity observed with this vaccine in a large series of children with this type of allergy immunized in an hospital immunization unit are presented. Material and methods An observational prospective study was performed in the International Immunization Unit of the Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Service of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital from March 2004 to December 2005. Demographic variables, clinical history of allergy, and the adverse reactions observed 30 minutes after vaccine administration were analyzed. Result A total of 140 patients (106 referred for the first MMR vaccine dose, and 34 for the second) were evaluated. Of these, 75.7 % showed clinical signs after egg ingestion (severe reactions were described in only seven patients: respiratory distress in six and systemic anaphylaxis in one). The MMR vaccine was administered to 121 children. No significant adverse reactions were observed (17.8 % of the vaccinated children developed mild local symptoms). Conclusions According to current scientific evidence and the data obtained in this study, the MMR vaccine is safe in patients with egg allergy