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.