Do Flu Vaccines Cause Pink Eye?

Flu vaccines are considered very safe, and their safety is monitored by different groups around the world. But in rare cases, you can have an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine or one of its ingredients.

Hundreds of millions of people get a flu vaccine every year, as recommended by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu vaccines also have to meet very high safety standards because they’re given to healthy people.

But very rarely, some people may have an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, which may include developing red or swollen eyes. This may make you think you have pink eye, but it’s actually often a sign of a medical emergency when you get red or swollen eyes soon after a flu shot.

There’s also a very rare adverse event associated with flu vaccines called oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS). One symptom of ORS is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye.

But can the flu vaccine itself give you pink eye? Read on to learn more.

• trouble breathing
• facial, eye, or lip swelling
• hives
• wheezing
• weakness
• hoarseness
• dizziness
• paleness
• fast heart rate

Allergic reactions to the flu vaccine happen to people who are allergic to one or more ingredients in the vaccine, including gelatin. People who are allergic to certain antibiotics may also have a reaction to the flu vaccine.

If you’re allergic to eggs, it can cause an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. Many common types of flu vaccines are egg-based, but there are egg-free vaccines.

Talk with a doctor before getting a flu shot if you’re allergic to eggs.

Oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) is a type of reaction that can happen after a flu shot. Although it shares some symptoms with an allergic reaction, they’re not the same thing.

Symptoms of ORS usually start between 2 and 24 hours after vaccination and resolve within a few days. Common symptoms include:

• wheezing
• chest tightness
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing
• red eyes (both eyes)
• sore throat
• facial swelling

Most cases of ORS happened in Canada during the 2000 to 2001 flu season. Many of those cases were linked to one flu vaccine manufacturer.

Although most cases happened that year, ORS does still happen. However, it’s considered a very rare reaction.

It’s safe for most people who have had ORS to get a flu vaccine again. Talk with your doctor first to make sure they don’t have any further concerns.

Most people with ORS and related pink eye do not need treatment. Symptoms go away with a few days of rest.

If you have any of the above symptoms of an allergic reaction, get medical treatment as soon as possible. An allergic reaction is a medical emergency that can result in death if not treated promptly.

In most cases, ORS does not require medical treatment. While many ORS symptoms overlap with those of an allergic reaction, ORS symptoms usually start later than an allergic reaction.

However, it’s always better to call a doctor if you’re not sure what type of reaction you’re having.

Many people experience side effects after flu vaccination. In most cases, these side effects are mild and go away within a few days.

After a flu shot, you might experience:

• redness, swelling, or soreness at the injection site
• muscle aches
• headache
• fever
• nausea