We want egg-free flu vaccine for our son Christopher, 2

1:30pm Tuesday 1st February 2011

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PARENTS of a toddler who suffers from severe allergies have added to calls for an egg-free flu vaccine to be made available.

Michael and Michelle Merrett have not considered getting their two-year-old son, Christopher, immunised against flu because the vaccination is cultivated in hen’s eggs.

Last year there was an egg-free version available because of swine flu, but mrs Merrett, 35, said it had not been widely taken up, so many primary care trusts had not stocked it this winter.

She added: “We think it’s ridiculous that the Department of Health does not take these risks more seriously and order egg-free vaccine as a matter of course for those with life-threatening allergies.

“We’ve tried to stay completely away from the flu vaccine because of the egg.

“They say the risk is only very small, but we don’t want to chance it.”

mrs Merrett, of Ipswich Road, Colchester, said the combined measles, mumps and rubella jab was not available for those allergic to eggs either.

Mr Merrett, 47, and his wife discovered Christopher had serious food allergies when he was 17 months old.

he had an allergic reaction to a cheese topping and received treatment in a high-dependency hospital unit.

his symptoms were so severe that Mr and mrs Merrett initially thought he had meningitis.

Christopher is now recognised as being allergic to dairy products, wheat, eggs, and histamines and sulphates, such as dried fruit and re-heated chicken.

the couple have now started an internet-based company selling allergy products, and they want to see a greater awareness for allergy sufferers.

the Gazette recently reported on Simon and Michelle Edney, of Halstead, who are struggling to find an egg-free flu vaccine for their child.

Seven-year-old Marshall Edney is in the “at-risk” flu category because he is asthmatic, but he has an egg allergy.

NHS North East Essex said there were no egg-free flu vaccinations available nationally this year from manufacturers.

Advice for allergy sufferers who cannot have the injection is to follow health guidelines to stop the spread of flu and seek anti-viral treatment from their GP if they develop flu-like symptoms.

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