The development of asthma disease is complex and composed and is due to factors from both the heritage and environment. Hereditary asthma often occurs together with eczema and allergies. Obesity may be a risk factor in asthma. Boys are more likely to get asthma as children. Non-hereditary asthma may be due to the effect of respiratory infections, various substances in the working environment (occupational asthma – see separate facts-page), pollution in indoor and outdoor environments, different aspects of our diet and tobacco smoke in people who are predisposed (genetic factors) of developing asthma.

Before getting allergy or asthma vaccination is considered, the normal allergy treatment with antihistamines and local funds for an eye and nasal symptoms is tried. If symptoms persist despite appropriate use of such drugs, allergy vaccination may be a good alternative.

Allergy vaccination is not recommended for children under 5 years. Neither of people with poorly controlled asthma, severe cardiovascular disease or cancer. Treatment should not start during a pregnancy.

Allergy vaccination should not be started during the pollen season and a higher dosage to be completed before the pollen season starts. For example, pollen allergy occur in the period from July to February, the grass in the period from September to April, and for many types of grass the period from October to April.

Allergy vaccination requires that allergies are detected with positive tests and / or blood test. Lung function assessment should be done before treatment begins.

Expenses for pollen vaccines reimbursed by social security for reimbursement regulations. For other vaccines, it must apply for individual reimbursement.

The tablet-based allergy vaccination with Grazax be a solid tablet daily for three years, and the treatment should be started four months before the pollen season. Treatment should be started up by a specialist with expertise allergic.

Grazax entitled to reimbursement for moderate to severe seasonal grass pollen allergy for at least two years and where other therapies do not provide adequate control of the disease or give side effects. This also assumes that patients do not receive injections with other allergen.