Flu vaccines - vegans and vegetarians

For the 19/20 flu season all vaccines are grown in eggs or animal cells.  Therefore they are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.

Flu vaccines - egg allergy

Studies have shown that inactivated vaccines with very low ovalbumin content (<0.12 μg/ml - equivalent to <0.06 μg for a 0.5 ml dose) may be used safely in individuals with an egg allergy¹.

Fluenz Nasal Spray contains gelatine - suitability for religious groups

The Jewish community have advised that ‘according to Jewish laws, there is no problem with porcine or other animal derived ingredients in non-oral products. This includes vaccines, including those administered via the nose, injections, suppositories, creams and ointments’².

Some groups within the British Muslim Community may consider products containing gelatin to be forbidden. In this circumstance, the individual would be unable to accept the pharmaceutical product unless there was no suitable alternative and/or the product was considered life-saving’².

1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/663694/Greenbook_chapter_19_Influenza_.pdf 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/influenza-vaccine-and-porcine-gelatine-guidance-for-health-professionals

Links to Additional Information

Green Book online

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/influenza-the-green-book-chapter-19
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/influenza-treatment-and-prophylaxis-using-anti-viral-agents

CPPE 

• https://www.cppe.ac.uk/e-learning/influenza/story_html5.html?EL_EID=45565&EventID=45565

Health Education England

• https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/flu-immunisation/
   

WHO

• http://vaccine-safety-training.org/