Which vaccines should be recommended for a severely immunocompromised child with HIV?

For a severely immunocompromised child with HIV, the pneumococcal and influenza vaccines are highly recommended due to their effectiveness in providing protection against infections that can be particularly severe in this vulnerable population.

Children who are severely immunocompromised have a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to infections caused by various pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, which can lead to serious infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. Similarly, the influenza vaccine is crucial for preventing influenza, a virus that can result in significant complications in children with compromised immune systems.

In contrast, some vaccines like the live attenuated mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B vaccines may not be as safe or effective for severely immunocompromised individuals. Live vaccines can pose a risk of causing the disease they are meant to prevent in these children. Instead, in this context, the focus is on inactivated or polysaccharide vaccines, such as those for pneumococcus and influenza, which provide important protective benefits without the risk associated with live vaccines.

Thus, recommending pneumococcal and influenza vaccines is in line with current guidelines for managing the health