Which condition is an indication for a second dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in children?

Sickle cell disease is a significant risk factor that warrants a second dose of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in children. This occurs because children with sickle cell disease have compromised immune systems and are at an increased risk for pneumococcal infections. Therefore, they require enhanced protection through vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children with certain underlying conditions that predispose them to severe diseases, such as sickle cell disease, receive an additional dose of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. This is crucial to help safeguard them against serious infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

While conditions like cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic kidney disease can also predispose children to respiratory infections, they do not automatically necessitate a second dose of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in the same way that sickle cell disease does. Each of these conditions could entail specific vaccination schedules and guidelines based on the severity and associated risks, but the clear and established criteria for a second dose centers around the increased risk associated with sickle cell disease.