With what frequency should splenectomized patients receive Hib, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines?
Persons with functional or anatomic asplenia should receive two doses of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine separated by 3-5 years, depending on age. They should also receive at least one dose of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The need for additional doses is uncertain. Adults–even those without spleens–are at very low risk of invasive Hib disease. ACIP recommends that a single pediatric dose of Hib conjugate vaccine “be considered” for asplenic persons.
