Experts on allergy have endorsed the recommendation, which applies to nearly every child in this risk category.

It has been estimated by the researchers that nearly 6,000 children a year with egg allergies are safely given the measles, mumps and rubella jab.

The vaccine is grown in a culture from chick cells, which raised the worry of egg protein in the vaccines affecting the 1% of children who are allergic to eggs. Three years ago, the Health Education Authority recommended that parents of children who have had reactions to eggs should speak to their doctor before the vaccination is given.

But now, writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr Gideon Lack of St Mary’s Hospital in London said that most allergic reactions to MMR are not linked to egg allergy. He concluded that MMR is as safe as any other vaccine and egg allergy should not delay a measles vaccination.

Dr Lack said: "The vast majority of children can safely be given the vaccine regardless of whether they are allergic to eggs. The MMR vaccine is as safe as any other vaccine, and children with an allergy to eggs must not have their vaccinations delayed."

The report also warns that dislike of eggs is not a sign of an allergy.

Both the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology have endorsed his research.

The conclusion was that the only children who need to be given vaccines in hospital are those who have had a previous life-threatening reaction to eggs or who have an allergy and severe asthma. Dr Lack recommended that they still receive the vaccine, but in hospital, where they can be monitored afterwards.

90% of 13-15 month olds currently receive the MMR vaccination, with a pre-school booster taken up by just under 50%.