II) CHILDREN WITH A HISTORY OF ALLERGY TO A VACCINE COMPONENT
There is no scientific evidence of an increased risk of allergic reactions after vaccination in atopic children and such patients should receive all the recommended vaccines51-53 without any additional precautions. Children with a previous history of immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or to any of its components, might have an increased risk and a complete allergy evaluation of these patients is mandatory. The allergy assessment has to be performed by personnel expert in vaccine allergy, allergists or immunologists, because positive test results do not pose diagnosis of allergy but are only index of sensitization that has to be evaluated according to the clinical history.
In case of history of delayed reactions, as contact allergy to a vaccine component and patch testing positive results, are not considered absolute contraindications because of the risks of not being immunised outweigh issues caused by delayed reactions1.