Get Your Vaccines

If you are considering a spleen removal (splenectomy) or had one previously, the most important thing you can do for your long-term health is simple. Get vaccinated.

Your spleen pays a critical role in your immune system. Without it, your body is much more vulnerable to bacterial infections. Extra vaccinations help fill this gap, protecting you from some of the most dangerous bacterial diseases.

In addition to the standard vaccinations for healthy adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following vaccinations for people without functional spleens. (They recommend getting these at least two weeks before a splenectomy.) After surgery, you’ll need boosters every five to 10 years for some of these, depending on your health situation.

• Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine. Two types of pneumococcal vaccines are available, PPSV23 and PCV13. Doctors recommend both types for adults without a spleen. When possible, PPSV23 is given at least eight weeks after PCV13 immunization. Booster shots are also recommended for many people.
• Hib vaccine — If you didn’t have this as a child (it was introduced in the U.S. in 1988), you may need to get this vaccine. Ask your doctor about a blood test that can check your immunity to Hib.
• Meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine. You’ll need the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4, Menactra or Menveo) as well as booster shots to maintain immunity.
• Influenza (flu) vaccine. While being asplenic doesn’t increase your risk of getting the flu, a highly contagious viral infection, the flu can cause pneumonia and other bacterial infections. So, it’s important to get your flu shot every year at the start of flu season.

For a full list of vaccines recommended by the CDC, download this excellent chart, which includes a section (Figure 2) for adults without a spleen.