I have an egg allergy. Can I still get a flu shot?

Ask the doctors

Q. Is it true that I should skip my annual flu shot if I'm allergic to eggs? If not, is it too late in the season to get one?

A. In the past, people with egg allergies were advised not to get the flu vaccine, but that advice no longer holds true. Most flu vaccines contain small amounts of egg proteins, which are introduced during the vaccine-manufacturing process. However, the CDC now advises that even people with egg allergies should receive the flu vaccine, because the risk of a severe allergic reaction is so small — only an estimated 1.31 vaccinations in every million.