Egg-Free Flu Vaccine Ready for Flu Season

Flublok is made using recombinant DNA technology and contains hemagglutinin produced in an insect cell line. Approved by the FDA in January, it is the only completely egg-free flu vaccine available, prompting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to add it to the guidance for the upcoming season at one of its regular meetings at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.

According to the previous algorithm for determining how people with egg allergies should be vaccinated, those who had a history of only hives upon exposure to egg were recommended to get inactivated influenza vaccine followed by an observation period of at least 30 minutes after administration to watch for reactions.