Which vaccines are recommended for asplenic patients?

• A. Hepatitis B, Varicella, and Influenza
• B. Hepatitis A, Meningococcal, and Influenza
• C. HIB, Meningococcal, and Pneumococcal
• D. Pneumococcal, MMR, and Varicella

Answer: (C)

Asplenia raises the risk of overwhelming infection from encapsulated bacteria because the spleen is key for filtering these organisms from the bloodstream. To reduce this risk, vaccines targeting the major encapsulated pathogens are prioritized: pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Neisseria meningitidis. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, the Hib vaccine targets Haemophilus influenzae type b, and the meningococcal vaccine protects against Neisseria meningitidis. While influenza vaccination is also recommended for asplenic patients to reduce respiratory infections, the combination that specifically covers the principal encapsulated bacteria is these three vaccines. Therefore, the best answer is the regimen including pneumococcal, Hib, and meningococcal vaccines.