When children approach and enter their teenage years, immunity from the vaccines they received during youth declines. Concurrently, as adolescents gain independence, they begin engaging with more places and people, heightening their risk of exposure to disease. Keeping up with recommended vaccinations protects preteens and teens against disease and encourages them to make informed vaccine choices as they enter adulthood.
Recommended Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two vaccines for newly at-risk illnesses: meningococcal disease and human papillomavirus. In addition, preteens and teenagers are advised to receive booster doses to strengthen immunity for diseases they remain at risk for, including whooping cough and influenza.
Meningococcal Disease – Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can lead to severe swelling of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, also known as meningitis. The disease can progress rapidly and cause death in as little as 24-48 hours. Since adolescents are at the highest risk of contracting meningococcal disease, the CDC recommends that children between 11 and 12 years old receive the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against the bacteria that cause the disease (serogroups A, C, W, and Y). It’s also recommended that a booster dose of the vaccine is administered at 16 years old.
Human Papillomavirus – The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Even when an individual is infected, many cases are asymptomatic; therefore, the virus is often spread unknowingly. While many strains of the virus are not harmful and go away on their own, other strains can last for a long time, induce severe symptoms, and cause various forms of cancer. The HPV vaccine series is proven to significantly reduce the risk of infection, preventing 90% of cancers caused by HPV. Since the vaccine is most effective before exposure, the CDC recommends children receive two doses between 11 and 12 years old. For children who wait until they are 15 years old to receive the vaccine, the CDC recommends three doses for sufficient protection.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis – The Tdap vaccine is a trivalent vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough are serious infections, but the vaccine is proven to significantly reduce the risk and severity of all three diseases, with 97%, ~100%, and 70% efficacy rates respectively. While the CDC recommends that babies receive five doses of the vaccine during infancy and early childhood, it’s recommended that providers administer a booster shot between 11 and 12 years old to strengthen diminishing immunity.
Influenza – The CDC recommends that all eligible patients over six months receive an annual influenza (flu) vaccine for individual protection and to strengthen herd immunity. The flu is a common seasonal respiratory disease that causes mild to severe illness which, in some cases, can be fatal. With cases rising in the fall and winter months, the CDC recommends that patients receive the vaccine before the end of October for the strongest protection during the seasonal surge.
Keeping Patients on Track with Recommended Vaccines
Although preteens and teens can be busy balancing school, extracurricular activities, and social events, it’s critical that physicians remind patients and their parents about upcoming recommended vaccines. Physicians can help keep vaccines top-of-mind for patients and their families by using well-child visits to regularly engage in conversations about the importance of vaccines and reviewing the CDC’s vaccine schedule together. At Atlantic Health Partners, we aim to help physicians prepare for these conversations by equipping them with valuable and informative resources. Check out our Vaccine Resource Center to learn more.