Investigation of the safety of measles–mumps–rubella vaccine in children with food allergies

Study objective

This study investigated the reaction frequency to the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and symptoms during this process in patients with egg allergy (EA) and/or cow's milk allergy (CMA).

Patients and methods

Patients diagnosed with CMA and/or EA were studied and followed up at the Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, between December 2021 and December 2022. These patients were vaccinated with MMR vaccine (MMR vaccine from the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.). Demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory tests, and reactions following vaccination were reviewed.

Results

Overall, 62 patients with median age of 12 months, including 46.8% males, were investigated; 56.5%, 40.3%, and 3.2% were followed up for atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and anaphylaxis, respectively. Moreover, 44% had EA, 21% had CMA, and 35% had CMA and EA (CM&EA). Among the CMA and CM&EA groups, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (Sp IgE) for milk and total IgE levels were significantly different (P < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in Sp IgE levels and skin prick test (SPT) results for milk among the EA and CM&EA groups (P < 0.017). Anaphylactic reactions occurred in five patients following MMR vaccination. All these patients had CMA; no mortalities were reported.

Conclusion

Patients with food allergies should be evaluated before MMR vaccination. No reactions were observed in the group allergic to eggs. All patients who experienced reactions had CMA. This suggests that milk allergy is a significant risk factor for adverse reactions compared to EA.