When you vaccinate yourself or a loved one, you want to improve their health and help them to avoid disease. The truth is you could be causing a health problem if you aren’t careful.

Many of the most frequently-administered vaccinations contain some of the most common and deadly allergens. For instance, the influenza shot may contain chicken protein, egg, pork-derived gelatin, and antibiotics like gentamicin sulfate and neomycin. The general public is now advised to get their flu shot on an annual basis – but this could spell trouble for allergic folks.

The flu shot is not the only vaccine which could contain ingredients that you’d prefer weren’t there. Both the measles and MMR vaccinations can have egg protein, pork-derived gelatin, neomycin, and beef-derived bovine fetal serum.

If you and your family get regular immunizations and you have any severe allergies, it’s critical to know that you or your child are not exposed to allergens that could result in a serious reaction.

You do have options. If you are allergic to a vaccine ingredient and don’t feel comfortable with getting the shot, you can ask to have a skin test with the specific injection’s ingredients. Some MD’s recommend two skin tests to be sure that getting the vaccination is safe. In some cases, the amount of the offending substance is small enough that you won’t react. A negative skin test lets you know that. However, if you react to the skin test, then you can start a process of desensitization before getting a shot.

If you or your child have received a vaccine – even if you have had it before – always observe carefully for any reaction. Mild skin rashes may actually indicate an allergic reaction to a specific shot.

What about that influenza vaccine? If you have a severe egg allergy that causes anaphylaxis, the best advice is to avoid the flu shot. The egg content in this vaccine can cause problems for the severely allergic.

Whenever you are in doubt, consult with your doctor and ask for the full ingredient list of any immunization you are going to receive. An ounce of prevention in this case clearly equals a pound of cure.

Source: Institute for Vaccine Safety and reporting from BeAllergyWise