Flu Vaccination with Rhinitis

Safety of Vaccination with Rhinitis

Mild upper respiratory tract infections or allergic rhinitis are not contraindications to influenza vaccination, as stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2, 3
Moderate-to-severe febrile illness warrants postponing vaccination until resolution, based on clinical judgment, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2
Significant nasal congestion that would impede vaccine delivery into the nasal passages is a consideration for intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), but not for injectable influenza vaccines, as noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 4

Injectable influenza vaccines can be safely administered during rhinitis regardless of severity, with no special precautions needed beyond standard vaccination practices, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2, 5, 6

LAIV can be administered with mild rhinitis, but should be deferred if nasal congestion would notably impede vaccine delivery into the nasopharyngeal mucosa, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 3, 4

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to previous dose or vaccine component is a contraindication to influenza vaccination, as stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 7
Moderate-to-severe febrile illness is a contraindication to influenza vaccination, but only until resolution, as noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians 1, 8
History of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of previous influenza vaccination is a precaution, not a contraindication, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 2, 4
Egg allergy is not a contraindication to receiving any influenza vaccine, as stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics 2, 4