Immunization Record for Adults with a Splenectomy or Splenic Embolization

Patients without a spleen need two types of pneumococcal vaccine:

• Prevnar 13® (generic name: pneumococcal conjugate or PCV13)
• Pneumovax 23® (generic name: pneumococcal polysaccharide or PPSV23)

There are different recommendations for people under or over 65 years of age.

If you are under age 65:

• You need one dose of Prevnar 13 if no history of a previous dose
• You need one dose of Pneumovax 23 if you have a history of one or less doses and there has been at least 5 years since any prior dose of Pneumovax 23
• If needed, Prevnar 13®should be given first, follow by Pneumovax 23® at least 8 weeks later.
• If you never received Prevnar 13® but you received Pneumovax 23®, you will need a Prevnar 13® dose 12 months after receiving the Pneumovax 23®.

If you are 65 years of age or older:

• You need one dose of Prevnar 13 if no history of a previous dose
• If you have not had one dose of Pneumovax 23 at or after the age of 65, you will need one dose. There must be 5 years between this dose and any dose received prior to age 65.
• If needed, Prevnar 13®should be given first, follow by Pneumovax 23® at least 8 weeks later.
• If you never received Prevnar 13® but you received Pneumovax 23®, you will need a Prevnar 13® dose 12 months after receiving the Pneumovax 23®.

You may receive up to three doses of Pneumovax 23® in your lifetime: up to two doses under age 65 and one dose at age 65 or older. The doses must be given at least five years apart.

Patients without a spleen need two types of meningococcal vaccine:

• Menactra® (Generic name: meningococcal conjugate or MCV4) which protects against meningococcal strains A, C, Y and W
• Bexsero® (Generic name: Meningococcal Group B Vaccine or MenB-4c) which protects against meningococcal B strain

Menactra® - If no history of two previous doses, people without a spleen need an initial series of two doses of Menactra® given 8-12 weeks apart and revaccination with Menactra® every 5 years thereafter.

Bexsero® - People without a spleen need a series of two doses of Bexsero® given at least 4 weeks apart. If you have already had a complete series of meningococcal B vaccine you will not need to repeat this series.

People without a spleen need one dose of PedvaxHib® if no history of a previous dose.

Annual flu vaccine is recommended for every patient without a spleen.

Your doctor may recommend additional vaccines as necessary.

Please note that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines are subject to change. To find the most up-to-date version of the immunizations guidelines visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html

Ideally these vaccines are started at least two weeks before surgery.