Pneumococcal vaccine is indicated for which patient group?

The pneumococcal vaccine is indicated for a variety of patient groups due to its effectiveness in preventing serious infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.

Patients with hypertension are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications, but hypertension itself does not typically put someone at elevated risk specifically for pneumococcal disease. However, this group can still benefit from vaccination, especially if they have other risk factors.

Patients with a history of pneumonia are particularly important to vaccinate since such a history may indicate an increased susceptibility to future pneumococcal infections. The vaccine can help prevent recurrence and complications from pneumococcal disease in these individuals.

Asplenic patients, or those who have had their spleens removed, require pneumococcal vaccination due to their significantly increased risk for severe infections. The spleen plays a critical role in filtering bacteria and helping the immune system manage infections. For asplenic individuals, the pneumococcal vaccine is strongly recommended to provide essential protection against this dangerous pathogen.

Therefore, the correct answer encompasses all these groups. Each group mentioned has valid reasons to receive the pneumococcal vaccine, either due to increased susceptibility or a history of illness that makes the