06/19/2026
🩸June 19th is World Sickle Cell Day!
This edition of Friday VaxFacts will highlight the additional vaccines or schedule variations for patients with sickle cell disease:
💉Meningococcal
💉Pneumococcal
💉Haemophilus influenzae type B
👩🏽⚕️As always, if you have questions about vaccines or immunization schedules for you or your child, talk to your pharmacist or primary care provider!
📍Don’t forget the standard and seasonal vaccines!
🦠Damage to the spleen increases risk of life-threatening infections caused by encapsulated organisms.
🧐 Recommendations for pneumococcal vaccines can be confusing! Be sure to review the patients immunization history to confirm which pneumococcal formulation is appropriate.
🧠 Think twice before skipping the meningococcal vaccine! Patients with sickle cell disease receive more doses of both MenACWY and MenB. They also need MenB at a younger age.
🗓️ Haemophilus Influenzae B (Hib) vaccine administration schedules may vary for patients who have no spleen or whose spleen doesn’t work well. This includes patients with sickle cell disease!
📋 Resources are available to guide parents, patients and providers to the appropriate vaccine schedule for patients with sickle cell disease!
♥️ These additional vaccines are vital to keep patients healthy throughout their life.
🔗 Scan the QR code for the American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule. Additional resources including quick reference guides and patient education documents can be obtained from Immunize.org
