Can vaccines prevent all meningitis in persons with cochlear implants?
Although most bacterial meningitis is vaccine-preventable in the general population, some cases of meningitis in persons with cochlear implants cannot be prevented by use of currently available vaccines. Some persons with cochlear implants had meningitis due to bacteria for which no vaccines are available, such as nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. In addition, we do not know what proportion of meningitis in cochlear implant recipients were caused by vaccine-preventable strains of Streptococcal pneumoniae. Among the two children in the study with Streptococcus pneumoniae of known serotype, one had a serotype not covered in the current pneumococcal vaccinations. Finally, although vaccination is likely effective in preventing meningitis among persons with cochlear implants, there are no specific data about the efficacy of preventing meningitis caused by vaccine-preventable bacteria people with cochlear implants.
Vaccines can’t prevent all meningitis in persons with cochlear implants. Although vaccines against meningitis are highly effective, we don’t have vaccines for all bacteria that cause meningitis. Pneumococcal vaccines protect against the most common strains but not against all strains. Also, people with immune system problems may respond poorly to vaccines.
