Should people with cochlear implants who have had bacterial meningitis in the past be vaccinated against meningitis?
A past case of pneumococcal meningitis does not provide adequate protection against contracting pneumococcal meningitis again, since there are 90 different serotypes of pneumococcus. Age-appropriate pneumococcal vaccination is indicated for persons with cochlear implants who have had any form of meningitis. Children who had Hib meningitis when they were less than two years of age may need additional doses of Hib, depending on their current age. Children who are two years of age or older when they develop Hib meningitis are considered immune to Hib and do not need more Hib vaccinations. A past case of Haemophilus influenzae other than “type b” does not provide protection against Hib.
