What pneumococcal vaccine should be administered to a 2-year-old with sickle cell disease?

For a 2-year-old with sickle cell disease, the appropriate pneumococcal vaccine to administer is Pneumovax 23 (PPV23). This vaccine is specifically designed to protect against 23 strains of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium that are responsible for causing pneumonia, meningitis, and other serious infections. Children with sickle cell disease are at a higher risk for these infections because their immune systems can be compromised, making them more susceptible to severe illness from these pathogens.

While Prevnar 13 and Prevnar 20 are also pneumococcal vaccines, they primarily target a limited number of serotypes (13 and 20 respectively), which may not provide sufficient protection for children with underlying conditions like sickle cell disease. Furthermore, the Vaxneuvance is a newer vaccine that covers additional serotypes but may not be the first-line recommendation for a 2-year-old who likely should receive the more established Pneumovax 23, especially considering the age and specific health condition of the child.

It is essential to ensure adequate vaccination coverage to protect vulnerable populations, making Pneumovax 23 the vaccine of choice in this scenario.