When should I vaccinate children or adults who are planning to have either a cochlear implant or elective splenectomy?

It is preferable that the person planning to have the procedure be protected from pneumococcus at the time of the surgery; if possible, administer the appropriate vaccine at least two weeks in advance of the splenectomy or cochlear implant. If the procedure is done on an emergency basis, vaccinate as soon as possible after surgery. Adults who have not previously received any pneumococcal vaccine should receive either PCV20 or PCV21 alone or PCV15 followed by PPSV23 at least 8 weeks later.

Recommendations for vaccination of a child in this situation depends on the child’s age and pneumococcal vaccination history (number of doses and types of vaccine(s) received).  To evaluate the specific needs of the child, see CDC’s guidance at  www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/hcp/vaccine-recommendations/risk-indications.html or Immunize.org’s Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccination of Children and Teens at www.immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/catg.d/p2016.pdf.