Referrals for MMR immunisation in hospital.
Concern exists about measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in egg-allergic children, although this has been shown to be safe. Guidelines from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) suggesting which children should be referred to hospital for MMR, were published in 2000. We audited referrals to hospital for MMR against these guidelines. One hundred and ten children were referred for MMR to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital (2002-2004) and Alder Hey Children's Hospital (2006-2009). Eighty-two (75%) children did not meet the published criteria. Only 13 children (12%) had severe egg allergy. The first dose of MMR vaccine was delayed by >30 days in 81% of children. All children were given MMR, none had a significant reaction. Children with egg allergy do not need to be given MMR in hospital, but MMR is often delayed by unnecessary hospital referral. New BSACI guidelines encouraging MMR vaccination of egg-allergic children in primary care need to be disseminated.
Ainsworth
Emma
E
Division of Child Health, School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK.
Debenham
Philip
P
Carrol
Enitan D
ED
Riordan
F Andrew I
FA
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004531:Eggs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004739:England; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008485:Medical Audit; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine