Which of the following vaccines can be administered to a patient with known anaphylactic reactions to eggs?: (A) Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine, (B) Influenza vaccine, (C) Measles vaccine, (D) Mumps vaccine
Answer is A. Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine is not an egg-based vaccine and is safe to administer to a patient with a history of anaphylactic reactions to eggs. Influenza, measles, mumps, and yellow fever vaccines are egg-based. Vaccines often contain materials other than the active-immunizing antigens, such as preservatives, antibiotics (e.g., neomycin, streptomycin) to prevent bacterial overgrowth, adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity, and stabilizers. Patients who are allergic to neomycin should not receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and oral polio vaccines. Patients who are allergic to streptomycin should not receive the live or the killed polio vaccine.