Vaccines are Crucial During Teenagers’ Developmental Years
What Vaccines Do Teenagers Need?
By Michele Eggers, senior quality care coordinator at Network Health
Originally published on 5/3/2021 at 4:00 p.m.
As a parent, you know that staying up to date on the vaccine schedule – recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – is important to protecting your child’s health.
Teenage years, however, bring complication to every facet of your child’s life and vaccines and health are no exception. You may wonder which vaccines your teenager should get during these years.
The vaccinations recommended for teenagers depend on whether they are up to date on routine vaccinations. The CDC recommends the following vaccinations for preteens and teens.
- Influenza (Flu) – Your teenager should get this vaccine every year between September and November when offered. Learn more about the flu shot by clicking here.
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – Crucial for stopping a virus that can cause cancer, the HPV vaccine is an important one to start scheduling during these years. The vaccine is given in two doses at least six months apart at ages 11-12 years. Three doses are needed if started after 15 years old. In a three-dose series, the second dose should be given one to two months after the first dose, and the third dose should be given six months after the first dose (0-, 1-2-, 6-month schedule).
- Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) – One dose is given between 11 and 12 years old.
- Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) – The first dose is given between 11 and 12 years old and the second dose, at 16 years old.
- Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) – This two-dose vaccine is recommended at some point between age 15 and 18. For adolescents who are not at increased risk, this vaccine should be received sometime between ages 16 and 23, with administration between ages 16 and 18 preferred.
Teenage years go fast. Protect your child with recommended immunization.
Contact your teen’s personal doctor to ask which vaccinations are still needed. Vaccinations may be given during annual checkups or during exams required for sports or camp. Many clinics also offer vaccinations at nurse-only visits, particularly for those needing to catch up on routine vaccinations.
Please refer to the CDC’s website for additional information about vaccines and the diseases they help prevent.
For more information on how your Wisconsin-based health plan can help you and your family stay as healthy and strong as possible, contact us today.
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