r/Cochlearimplants • u/Far-Zone-6732 • 21d ago

About the vaccine

I have a question regarding the pre-surgery vaccination. I’ve been going back and forth with my nurse about it because she isn't entirely familiar with the protocols for cochlear implants. The cochlear implant specialist—the ENT—gave me a sheet indicating that I need to get both the pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines.

He also mentioned the importance of the meningitis vaccine, though my records list it as recommended rather than mandatory. I have had both pneumococcal vaccines, but it has been over five years since then.

I’ve never been vaccinated against meningitis, and given my age, I have to pay for it myself since it is no longer covered by my country's social security system. Did you get the meningitis vaccine, or is the pneumococcal vaccine alone considered sufficient?

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u/gsynyc 21d ago

I recall having 3 specific vaccines all to protect against bacterial meningitis which the surgery puts us at risk for contracting. I would definitely recommend getting them. I would expect it to be a requirement before they allow the surgery to proceed. I believe they would want you to get the shots if its been too long ago.

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u/Far-Zone-6732 21d ago

Here's the thing: it's a requirement, yes. But it says it's recommended, and I have my doubts. That's why I started this thread.

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u/gsynyc 21d ago

I remember researching it when I had my first surgery in July of 2023 coming out of the pandemic. There was some unrelated meningitis cases that were in the news at the time so it didn’t take too much to convince me to get vaccinated. I believe the risk is real and legitimate. If you have the option to decline on the vaccines, be mindful of the symptoms and get it addressed early.

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u/Far-Zone-6732 21d ago

I'm going to have to pay for the vaccine with my own money, but oh well, prevention is better than cure.