Safe administration of influenza vaccine in asthmatic children

Thirty asthmatic children were examined allergic reaction against egg white, gelatin and vaccine solution before and after vaccination using skin prick test. We also measured the levels of specific IgE and IgG antibody against gelatin. The changes in clinical symptoms before and after vaccination were investigated in 25 asthmatic children by evaluating symptom and treatment score. The results were as follows; 1. In one subject who had delayed type of skin reaction to gelatin, the adverse reaction was also recognized at the skin site around 24 hrs after vaccination. In this subject, the levels of serum specific IgE and IgG to gelatin became positive after 5 months. 2. Specific IgE antibodies to gelatin were not detected in all subjects before and after vaccination. 3. The mean values of asthma symptom score before and after vaccination were 3.3 +/- 4.2 and 1.5 +/- 3.3 respectively. Those of treatment score before and after vaccination were 75.6 +/- 35.2 and 76.0 +/- 35.0 respectively. These results suggest that skin testing with gelatin and vaccine solution is useful as a screening method for predicting adverse reactions in asthmatic children and that influenza vaccination can be performed safely in skin test negative children.