When your child hits the preteen and teen years,
it's time for a medical check-up and some important vaccines. Kids in this age
group need to get FOUR vaccines to protect against several serious diseases.
1. Tdap Vaccine
Tdap protects children from tetanus, diphtheria,
and pertussis (whooping cough). Children get vaccines for these diseases when
they are younger, but they tend to wear off. They need this vaccine to
boost their immunity. Children should receive the Tdap Vaccine when they are 11 or 12 years old. If your teen is 13 years or older and hasn’t gotten this
vaccine yet, they should get it as soon as possible.
2. HPV Vaccine
HPV stands for human papilloma virus. Certain
types of HPV can cause cancer.
Girls and boys should get their first dose of the
HPV vaccine between ages 11 and 12. They should get their second dose at least
6 months after the first. Three shots are recommended for those 15 and older or
those with a weak immune system.
The HPV vaccine series should be given to any
teen 13 to 18 years old who didn't get it at an earlier age. Young adults 18-26
years old should also consider getting the vaccine. This vaccine prevents
most cervical cancers in women. HPV infections can cause other cancers in women
and men - the vaccine can help prevent these, too.
3. Meningococcal Vaccine
This vaccine protects against certain strains of
a bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis. About 1 in 4 people who get
this meningitis die. Those who survive can have permanent brain damage,
hearing loss or other problems.
Your child should get his first shot at age 11 or
12. A booster is needed at age 16. College students who live in dorms should
get the vaccine if they never got it before.
4. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu
vaccine every year. The fall is the best time of year to get this vaccine. The
flu virus changes every year, and vaccine makers adjust the vaccination to
protect against the latest version of the virus.
The flu can cause serious problems that require
hospital care, and it causes several deaths every year. These problems can
occur even in young, healthy people. Even when the vaccine doesn’t completely
prevent the flu, it lowers the risk of these severe problems.
For more detailed information about these
vaccines, click here.