Q: Splenectomy : how often should I get Vaccines ?
asked by:DoctorQuestion on June 6th, 2007
Had a splenectomy in 1988. How often should I get a Pneumococcal vaccine?
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Replies(1)
Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov
, MD
replied on June 13th, 2007
General Q&A Answer A2897
One of spleen’s functions is to kill some types of bacteria that can reach the blood circulation. People with a removed spleen (spleenectomy) are susceptible to developing severe infections caused by encapsulated bacteria such as: Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus), Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis (Meningococcus). To minimize the risk for getting these infections a person with a spleenectomy should receive a vaccine against these diseases. Vaccine against Pneumococcus should be received once every 6 years. The vaccine against influenza is also recommended to be received every year. Vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae and Meningococcus should be taken only once.
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