Asplenia Vaccine Record

This information will help you keep track of the vaccines you’ll need after radiation treatment to your spleen, or after your spleen is removed.

Your spleen is an important part of your body’s immune system.

You’re getting this resource because you:

• Have had, or will have, all or part of your spleen removed. This is called a splenectomy.
• Received radiation treatment to your spleen so it’s weaker and can’t fight infection as well. This is called functional asplenia.

Without a spleen or with a weakened spleen, you have a higher chance of getting a bacterial infection. You can help prevent these infections by getting recommended vaccines.

Vaccines and surgery

• If you know you’re having surgery, get your vaccines at least 14 days before your surgery.
• If you had unplanned surgery, you must wait at least 14 days after your surgery to begin getting your vaccines.

Types of vaccines

You will need several vaccines. Your healthcare provider will let you know which vaccines you should get. All of the vaccines are given as shots in your muscle.

• Haemophilus B (Hib) Conjugate
  • Prevents Hib disease that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses. These illnesses can cause disability or death.
• Pneumococcal
  • Helps prevent infection by pneumococcal bacteria. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and other serious illnesses that can cause death.
• Meningococcal
  • Helps prevent meningitis. Meningitis is swelling in the brain and spinal cord that can cause death.
  • For broader protection, there are 2 vaccines available, Menveo® and Bexsero®. It’s recommended you get both vaccines.
  • Both Menveo and Bexsero have a booster shot, so you will get 2 doses of each vaccine.
  • You will get the Menveo vaccine in the first round of vaccines. Then you will get the booster shot 12 weeks later. You will need to be revaccinated every 5 years.
  • You can get the Bexsero vaccine in either the first or second round of vaccines. Your healthcare provider will decide this for you. You will get the Bexsero booster shot at least 4 weeks after the initial dose. Bexsero will be repeated one year later and then every 2-3 years.
• Inactivated influenza
  • Helps prevent the flu.
  • You should get the flu vaccine every year. It usually becomes available in the early fall.
  • You can get the flu vaccine with any of the other rounds of vaccines.

Vaccine record

Since the vaccines can’t be given all at once, they’re split into rounds. Your healthcare provider will help decide what vaccines you’ll get and when you’ll get them.

Tell your healthcare provider if you’ve already received any of the vaccines below. Bring this record with you when you see your primary care provider so your vaccines stay up to date.

Most people can get the first round of vaccines at MSK. After that, you can get the rest of the vaccines at your primary care provider’s office. If your primary care provider has any questions, they can call your healthcare provider at MSK.