Healthcare Infection Prevention
Strep pneumo vaccine for cochlear implants urged
New study underscores risk of meningitis
Findings of a recent public health investigation reinforce prior recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination for patients with cochlear implants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
Last year, the CDC recommended that everyone with cochlear implants receive age-appropriate pneumococcal vaccination with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) (Prevnar), 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) (Pneumovax), or both.
It issued the recommendations on the basis of preliminary data suggesting an increased risk for pneumococcal meningitis in people with cochlear implants. Findings of a recent investigation by CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and state health departments support the recommendation. Children younger than 6 with cochlear implants had a substantially greater risk for having pneumococcal meningitis, compared with children in the general U.S. population of the same age.
The CDC has issued vaccination recommendations for people who have or are scheduled to receive a cochlear implants.1
Reference
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal vaccination for cochlear implant candidates and recipients: Updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR 2003; 52:739-740.
Strep pneumo vaccine for cochlear implants urgedYou have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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