How have the immunization recommendations for persons with cochlear implants recently changed?
Before the cochlear implant and meningitis investigation started, there were no special immunization recommendations for persons with cochlear implants. Early in the investigation, in October 2002, it was recognized that people with cochlear implants may be at increased risk for bacterial meningitis – especially pneumococcal meningitis. Since most pneumococcal meningitis is vaccine-preventable, CDC recommended people with cochlear implants receive age-appropriate pneumococcal vaccination according to the high risk schedules. These recommendations are supported by the findings of this investigation and were adopted by the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June 2003. For more information on the ACIP recommendations please see the MMWR article, Pneumococcal Vaccination for Cochlear Implant Candidates and Recipients: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
