The recombinant influenza vaccine is now recommended as an option for adults with egg allergies, according to the 2014 recommended vaccine schedule for adults.
Approved last year, the recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) is manufactured with the baculovirus. It contains no egg protein, and can be safely administered to those who have an egg allergy of any severity, according to the schedule published Feb. 3 (Ann. Int. Med. 2014;160:190-8).
RIV is a good addition to the schedule, Dr. Jonathan Temte, chair of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP), said in an interview.
This provides an option for people who have a serious egg allergy. Many people with egg allergies have only mild allergies – hives – and can receive influenza vaccine," Dr. Temte said.
Other updates to the schedule include the following:
• Adults who have undergone successful hematopoietic stem cell transplant should get a three-dose series of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine (Hib) 6-12 months after the procedure, regardless of prior vaccination. Hib is no longer recommended for previously unvaccinated HIV-infected adults, because their risk of infection is low.
• Zoster and human papillomavirus vaccines (either HPV2 or HPV4) are no longer specifically indicated for health care workers; instead, each should be provided to health care professionals and other patients who meet age and other indications.
• Previously unvaccinated patients 11 years old or older should have a single dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap), with a tetanus, diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years. Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy (preferably during 27-36 weeks’ gestation) regardless of when they last received Tdap or Td.
• Timing of the HPV vaccine series was clarified. Both HPV vaccines have a recommended three-dose series, with the second dose administered 4-8 weeks after the first and the third dose administered at least 12 weeks after the second.
• Recommendations on the meningococcal vaccine clarify which patients need either one or two doses as well as who should receive the meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY-D) and who should have the meningococcal polysaccharide (MenACWY-CRM) quadrivalent vaccines.
You can view the 2014 schedule at our Resources section here.