FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Redondo Beach, CA – Dr. Ulrike Ziegner of Riviera Allergy Medical Center (RAMC) is alerting patients with food allergies that a new type of flu shot, which was not grown in chicken eggs, is now more widely available. Patients who are allergic to eggs would have to risk exposing themselves and their families to flu because they were not able to tolerate previous versions of flu shots. In addition, this vaccine is also preservative free.
The allergy doctor noted that Novartis was able to ship its first full batch of Flucelvax from its plant in Holly Springs NC this year. This vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012, but was only available in limited quantities for last year’s flu season. Instead of taking an extremely long time to incubate a flu virus in fertilized chicken eggs, Flucelvax is the first seasonal influenza vaccine to be manufactured using cell culture technology. Instead of eggs, it is grown in cultured animal cells, primarily canine kidney cells. Advantages of this technology include the potential for a faster start-up of the vaccine manufacturing process, and the ability to administer doses to people who are living with an egg allergy.
Before its approval, the FDA evaluated Flucelvax in a clinical study that involved about 7,700 people. The study showed that the vaccine was 84% as effective in preventing influenza when compared to a placebo.
“One of the best ways to prevent seasonal influenza is to get vaccinated,” commented Dr. Ziegner. “The CDC highly recommends they everyone over six months of age receive a vaccination, including pregnant women. But I would recommend that anyone who is experiencing food allergy symptoms should pay a visit to Riviera Allergy first so we can conduct allergy testing, just to be on the safe side. Then we can discuss the seasonal flu vaccine options.”
About RAMC - Riviera Allergy Medical Center, located at 1711 Via El Prado, Suite 101 in Redondo Beach, offers asthma testing andallergy tests, as well as treatment for seasonal allergies, airborne allergies, sinus allergies, and food allergies. Visit the website athttp://RivieraAllergy.com to receive a complimentary copy of the guide, “Be Allergy Free With Dr. Z.” “Like” the Facebook page for tips on asthma and allergy relief. Call 310-792-9050 or schedule an appointment online to learn more about egg allergy relief.
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