Meningitis Vaccinations

Pneumococcal meningitis is a serious and potentially life threatening disease. As you know, cochlear implant recipients have an elevated risk of contracting meningitis. The Pneumococcal vaccines provide important immunization and protection, but many cochlear implant recipients have not been vaccinated. We are asking your assistance in reaching all unvaccinated implant patients - particularly those 18 years old and younger. If any of your patients have not been vaccinated or you do not know their vaccination status, please encourage them to see their pediatrician or family physician immediately for the Pneumococcal vaccine. And importantly, please begin to have every candidate vaccinated before cochlear implant surgery.

Children under the age of two should receive the four dose Prevnar® 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV).
Children over the age of two should receive the one dose Pneumovax® 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) as soon as possible. This is the same vaccine recommended for adults.
Experts also recommend a second dose Pneumovax® 23-valent shot five years after the first dose.

We want to make it easier for your patients to receive the appropriate vaccinations. Advanced Bionics will reimburse out-of-pocket Pneumococcal meningitis vaccination expenses, not covered by health insurance, for both children and adults with Advanced Bionics cochlear implants.

In addition, Advanced Bionics will provide a $100 award to parents or guardians of children 18 years of age and younger with Advanced Bionics cochlear implants for each completed Pneumococcal meningitis vaccination series (as noted above) for up to a maximum of $300.

Parents can also receive the award payment for children who were already vaccinated, by having the physician who administered the vaccine(s) complete the certificate form based on the patient's medical record.

If you or your patients have any questions not addressed in the documents available in the links below, please contact the Advanced Bionics Vaccination Information Line at (866) 481-5616 or customerservice@advancedbionics.com for more information.

Information Regarding the Meningitis Vaccination Reimbursement and Incentive Program

Meningitis Vaccination Reimbursement and Incentive Program - Vaccination Certificate Form (PDF 327Kb)>>

Meningitis Vaccination Reimbursement and Incentive Program News>>

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Vaccination Incentive Program (PDF 22Kb)>>

Letter to Parents and Guardians of Advanced Bionics Recipients 18 Years Old and Younger (PDF 21Kb)>>

Letter to Adult Advanced Bionics Recipients 19 Years Old and Older (PDF 21 Kb)>>

Link to the Patient location for Meningitis Vaccination Information on the BionicEar site>>

Pneumococcal Disease and Meningitis Vaccination Information Resources

Cochlear Implants and Meningitis Vaccination Information from the CDC for Professionals>>

Cochlear Implants and Meningitis Vaccination Information from the CDC for Patients>>

Pneumococcal Vaccination Information Resource Page from the CDC>>

Information Resource About Pneumococcal Disease in Children>>