Community-Acquired Pneumonia — MRCGP AKT MCQ

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HardInfectious DiseasesCommunity-Acquired PneumoniaMRCGP AKT

A 45-year-old has a planned splenectomy in four weeks and has not received pneumococcal vaccination. When should vaccination ideally occur?

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Correct answer: E — At least two weeks before surgery

The best answer is “At least two weeks before surgery”. When splenectomy is planned, indicated vaccines should ideally be completed at least 2 weeks beforehand to allow an immune response. If this is not possible, they are given after recovery according to the asplenia schedule. Waiting until routine age eligibility leaves a high-risk patient unprotected.

Reference: UKHSA: Pneumococcal vaccination for older adults and clinical risk groups: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pneumococcal-vaccination-for-older-adults-and-for-individuals-in-a-clinical-risk-group-information-for-healthcare-practitioners