If I’m Allergic To Gelatin, Can I Receive Vaccines?

Gelatin protein, which is found in Jell-O gelatin and pudding desserts, is normally added to many vaccines as a heat stabilizer. Routine childhood vaccines containing gelatin include MMR, varicella (chicken pox), influenza, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis). Allergic reactions to the MMR vaccine are most likely to be caused by an allergy to the gelatin in the vaccine rather than to any other component in the vaccine.

As a general rule, any person who has experienced an allergic reaction after eating gelatin food products (e.g., Jell-O) should not be given any of the above vaccines. However, as is the case with egg-containing vaccines in egg-allergic people, it may be possible to give gelatin-containing vaccines to gelatin-allergic people under the direct supervision of a physician.