Immunizations

Recommended immunizations

Adolescents need certain immunizations and booster shots for ongoing protection (Reference immunity Opens New Window) against diseases. Consult your doctor or public health department if your child missed an immunization or if you need to find out whether your child needs a certain one.

The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend a specific Reference immunization schedule for children and adolescents each year.^{Reference 5} This schedule outlines the immunizations and booster shots needed during adolescence and also when catch-up immunizations should be given.

Immunizations recommended for adolescents (ages 11 to 21) include:

Flu (influenza) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This immunization helps protect against Reference the flu Opens New Window. Flu viruses are always changing, so the flu vaccines are updated every year. Protection lasts up to a year for each flu vaccine type.

Who should get it?

• All people ages 6 months and older need one dose each year.

Healthy people ages 2 years through 49 years can usually get the nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) instead of the flu shot. Pregnant women can get the flu shot but not FluMist. People ages 18 to 64 can get the intradermal flu shot instead of the regular flu shot. The intradermal vaccine gets injected into the skin instead of the muscle. And it uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot.

For the most current CDC guidelines about the flu, go to www.cdc.gov/flu.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

The vaccines Cervarix (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) and Gardasil (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) protect against two types of human papillomavirus (Reference HPV Opens New Window) that cause Reference cervical cancer Opens New Window. Gardasil also protects against two types of HPV that cause Reference genital warts Opens New Window. And it protects against some uncommon cancers, such as vaginal cancer.

Who should get it?

• All adolescents ages 11 or 12 need three doses of this shot, given over 6 months. (The series of shots can be started at age 9 or 10.)
  • Gardasil can be given to males.
  • Either Cervarix or Gardasil can be given to females.
• Females 13 to 26 years old who did not get it when they were younger should get this series of shots. Males 13 to 21 years old who did not get it when they were younger should get this series of shots.

If your child already has HPV infection, talk with your doctor about whether to get your child immunized. The shot has not been shown to help existing HPV infection, but it may protect your child from other HPV infections.

Opens New Window HPV: Should My Child Get the Vaccine? Opens New Window

Meningococcal conjugate (Menactra or Menveo) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This shot protects against a bacteria that causes Reference meningitis Opens New Window and blood infections (Reference sepsis).

Who should get it?

• All adolescents need two doses, one at age 11 or 12 and one at age 16.
• Teens and young adults ages 13 to 21 who haven't had this vaccine should get it as soon as possible. This includes college freshmen who live in dormitories.

People who have a damaged or missing spleen or who have certain Reference immune system Opens New Window problems need a booster dose every 5 years.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This booster shot protects against Reference tetanus Opens New Window, Reference diphtheria Opens New Window, and Reference whooping cough Opens New Window (pertussis).

Who should get it?

• All preteens ages 11 or 12 need one Tdap shot.
• All teens who haven't had the shot should get it as soon as possible.

Other immunizations

Some adolescents may need or want additional immunizations for situations that increase a person's risk for exposure to disease, such as being in group living situations (when attending college or summer camp) or traveling to other countries. They may have missed shots when they were younger. Or a vaccine may not have been offered when they were younger. These immunizations may include:

Chickenpox (varicella) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This is important if your child never had Reference chickenpox Opens New Window or never got this shot.

This shot (called Varivax) protects against chickenpox.

Who should get it?

• Adolescents and adults who are not already immune to the chickenpox virus need this shot. Anyone who gets this shot at age 13 or older should get two doses at least 4 weeks apart.

Chickenpox infection can be very serious when it occurs after childhood.

Hepatitis A (Hep A) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This shot protects against Reference hepatitis A Opens New Window disease. Two doses are needed over at least 6 months.

Who should get it?

• Adolescents may need this shot if they did not get it as a child. Talk to your child's doctor if your child never got this shot.
• Some states and communities have set up routine immunization because hepatitis A occurs there more often than in other areas. Adolescents living in these areas need this shot.
• Adolescents in communities where outbreaks of hepatitis A are happening may need this shot.
• Anyone 1 year of age and older who is Reference traveling to certain foreign countries also needs this shot.
• Anyone who will be in close contact with an adopted child from a country that has high rates of hepatitis A needs this shot. This includes household contacts and babysitters. This recommendation only applies for the first 60 days the child is in the United States.^{Reference 6}

Hepatitis B (Hep B) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This is important if your child never got this shot.

This shot protects against Reference hepatitis B Opens New Window disease.

Who should get it?

• Anyone 18 years of age or younger who has not had this shot should get three doses over a period of about 6 months.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This is important if your child never got this shot.

This shot protects against Reference measles Opens New Window, Reference mumps Opens New Window, and Reference rubella Opens New Window. There is a measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV, or ProQuad) shot (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) that also protects against chickenpox (varicella). It can be substituted for either or both doses of MMR in children ages 12 months to 12 years.

Who should get it?

• If your child did not get either or both doses, he or she should try to get immunized at age 11 or 12.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV, or Pneumovax 23) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

This shot does not necessarily reduce the risk of getting Reference pneumonia Opens New Window. But it can prevent some of the serious complications of pneumonia, such as blood infections (sepsis).

Who should get it?

• Adolescents with certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease, need this shot.

Immunization safety

Most side effects from vaccines are minor, if they occur at all. The doctor may have your child stay in the office for up to 15 minutes after the shots are given, to watch for any reactions.

You may worry that immunizations are dangerous if they are given when your child has a cold or other minor illness. Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about the timing of shots. But keep in mind that shots can usually still be given during a mild illness, while medicines are being taken, and in other situations where a child may not be in perfect health. There are very few reasons for which doctors suggest that a person postpone or not get an immunization.

For more information about vaccine safety studies and vaccine side effects, see the topic Reference Immunization Safety.

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.