Immunization of people with asplenia and hyposplenia

From IDWiki
  • Can receive all routine vaccines, including live vaccines
  • Try to complete vaccines at least 2 weeks before splenectomy, or wait at least 2 weeks after vaccination to start
  • Vaccines specifically recommended in asplenia or hyposplenia:
    • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), one dose
    • Neisseria meningitidis:
      • Quadrivalent Men-C-ACYW-135, two doses 8 weeks apart followed by a booster every 5 years
      • 4CMenB, two doses 4 weeks apart
    • Streptococcus pneumoniae:
      • Pneu-C-13, one dose with a booster at 5 years. Must wait at least 1 year after Pneu-P-23.
      • Pneu-P-23, one dose. Must wait at least 8 weeks after Pneu-C-13.
    • Influenza (annually)
    • If transfusion-dependent: hepatitis A and B vaccines
  • Should also have pill-in-pocket broad-spectrum oral antibiotics to be taken in case of fever
Sample schedule for vaccination before planned splenectomy
Week -10 Week -2 Week 0 Ongoing
Men-C-ACYW-135 Men-C-ACYW-135 splenectomy Men-C-ACYW-135 booster every 5 years
4CMenB 4CMenB
Pneu-C-13 Pneu-P-23 Pneu-C-13 booster at 5 years
Hib
influenza, if appropriate season annual influenza vaccination

Further Reading