APhA Vaccination Practice Test

For a 9-year-old child diagnosed with asplenia, the need for additional vaccinations stems from the increased risk of certain infections due to the absence of a functioning spleen. The spleen plays a crucial role in filtering bacteria from the blood and aiding the immune system in responding to infections. Children without a spleen are at heightened risk for infections from encapsulated organisms.

Among the vaccines listed, the MenACWY vaccine is specifically recommended for asplenic patients because it protects against meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W, and Y. These bacteria can lead to severe illness, including meningitis and bloodstream infections, which are particularly dangerous for individuals with compromised immunity, such as those without a spleen.

Although the other vaccines listed, like PCV13, MenB, and Hib, are also important in a general pediatric vaccination schedule, they are less specifically targeted toward the needs of a child with asplenia in terms of the infections they help reduce. While PCV13 and Hib cover certain bacteria, they are typically administered at different stages in a child's early years and may not be emphasized in the context of asplenia management as MenACWY is.

Therefore,

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