--- title: "Immunizations, Vaccinations and Shots at Sutter Health" description: "Vaccines protect your child, family and community from contagious illnesses." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/immunizations-vaccinations-shots" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) / 3. Immunizations Vaccinations Shots # Immunization, Vaccinations and Shots Vaccines protect your child, family and community from contagious illnesses. * * * September 27, 2024 Vaccination is the best way to protect your adolescent against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, chickenpox and meningitis. Thanks to vaccines, doctors see fewer cases of these diseases — but they still exist. Making sure your child is vaccinated helps protect the whole community from contagious viral illnesses. 1 / 2 1 / 2 ## Quick Facts - Pertussis (whooping cough) is an increasing health problem among teens and young adults due to declining immunity after the initial childhood vaccination. All 11- and 12-year-olds should receive the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine.  Students who received the diptheria-tetanus (dT) booster in the past should get the next Tdap five years after the dT shot. Your teen should get the Tdap vaccine at their 16- to 18-year-old checkup, usually just before they head off to college. After this Tdap vaccine, another booster isn’t recommended. - Meningococcal meningitis, typically an infection of the brain and spinal cord lining, can be life-threatening. Teens and young adults are at high risk because the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease is spread through mouth and throat secretions, such as spit. If caught quickly meningococcal disease can be treated with antibiotics, but the best defense is vaccination. In 2005, a vaccine for meningitis was approved for people age 11 to 55; two shots are given five years apart, ideally before the person reaches college age. In 2015, a new vaccine for meningitis B was approved. This vaccine isn’t required, but it targets the type of meningitis that caused several recent fatal meningitis outbreaks at college campuses. - Hepatitis B is a serious infection that can lead to liver disease. Be sure your 11- to 19-year-old teen gets a hepatitis B vaccine if they haven’t already. - Every child needs two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations. The first is usually given to infants at about 15 months of age. The second is usually given at age 4 or 5, before the child starts kindergarten. If your adolescent hasn’t had the second vaccination, they should get it now. - Your teen should get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine if they haven’t received the vaccine earlier and if they’ve never had chickenpox. - Teens can and should receive all immunizations at the same time. ## The Catch-Up Visit  Schedule a vaccine “catch up” visit when kids are 11 or 12 years old. During this visit, your child should receive: - The Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. - The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine if not previously infected or vaccinated. - The second dose of MMR, if it hasn’t already been given. - The first dose of the hepatitis B series if it hasn’t already been given. The second dose is given one to two months after the first dose, and the third dose is given four to six months after the first dose. ## Other Vaccines Vaccines to prevent the flu and pneumonia-type infections are recommended for children with health problems such as kidney disease, sickle cell anemia, diseases of the lung and heart, and other chronic conditions. Ask your teen’s doctor for more information. Teens should receive the hepatitis A vaccine if they travel to, work in or live in a country or community that has high rates of hepatitis A. ## Explore related topics [Parenting preteens and teens](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Parenting+preteens+and+teens%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Immunizations, Vaccinations and Shots at Sutter Health","description":"Vaccines protect your child, family and community from contagious illnesses.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/immunizations-vaccinations-shots","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/immunizations-vaccinations-shots#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","headline":"Immunization, Vaccinations and Shots","alternativeHeadline":"Immunizations, Vaccinations and Shots at Sutter Health","description":"Vaccines protect your child, family and community from contagious illnesses.","datePublished":"2024-09-27T15:20:57Z","dateModified":"2025-03-28T23:29:27Z","publisher":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/young-woman-smiles-after-vaccine.jpg?h=483&iar=0&w=724","width":"724","height":"483","caption":"young-woman-smiles-after-vaccine"},"@type":"MedicalWebPage","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/immunizations-vaccinations-shots#breadcrumblist"},"reviewedBy":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org"},"lastReviewed":"2025-03-28T23:29:27Z"} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/immunizations-vaccinations-shots#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Health and wellness","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Immunizations Vaccinations Shots"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"HPV and Flu Vaccines for Teens: What Parents Should Know","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/ba119fc8-2702-4f01-8979-e54f259c0dde/7a4bafd6-59c9-4346-93c0-670c24820ca9/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2024-09-04T19:19:33.885Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6361510750112","description":"Make sure your preteen or teenage child has the vaccinations they need to stay healthy. Learn about the HPV vaccine, which can prevent certain types of cancer, and why the annual flu shot is especially important for teens.","duration":"PT2M47S","transcript":"[MUSIC PLAYING]\nTANYA NAUENBERG: Immunizations are\nvery important for our preteen and teenage children\nto help protect their health now and long into the future.\nTwo critical vaccinations for teens\nare the HPV vaccine and the flu shot.\nHuman PapillomaVirus, or HPV, is a common virus\nthat can lead to six types of cancer later in life.\nStudies show the HPV vaccine is highly effective\nand gives your child close to 100%\nprotection from HPV-related cancers.\nThe fact that we have a vaccine that\ncan help safeguard our children from cancer is truly amazing.\nThe American Academy of Pediatrics\nand the California Department of Public Health\nrecommends the HPV vaccine for girls and boys starting\nat age 11 to 12, but it can be given as early as age 9.\nBy vaccinating as early as age 9,\nwe ensure kids are protected well before any exposure\nto the virus.\nAnother vaccine that's important for young teens\nis the annual flu shot.\nThe flu can be particularly severe for teens,\nleading to missed school and affecting their ability\nto participate in sports and other activities.\nIn rare cases, it can lead to hospitalization.\nThe AAP and the CDPH recommends everyone age 6 months and older\nget a flu shot every year.\nAnd the flu vaccination is especially\ncrucial for teens with chronic health conditions like asthma\nor diabetes.\n\nParents often have questions about how vaccines are tested\nto make sure they're safe.\nVaccines, including those for HPV and flu,\nare researched and tested extensively for safety\nbefore being approved.\nFindings from vaccine safety monitoring systems\nand scientific studies have shown both vaccines have\nan excellent safety record.\n\nAt your vaccine appointment, let us\nknow if your child is anxious about shots\nand what helps them feel calmer.\nWe want to help in any way we can.\nTo prevent fainting, your child should\nsit or lie down while getting a vaccine\nand for 15 minutes after.\nWe also find distraction works well.\nYour teen is welcome to bring their mobile device\nor listen to their favorite music during the vaccination.\nIf you have any questions about vaccinations for your child,\nplease don't hesitate to ask your care team.\nWe're here to answer any questions you may have\nand to help you make informed decisions.\nWorking together, we can help keep\nour children and our community healthy and safe.\n[MUSIC PLAYING]"} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Cervical Cancer Screening: HPV Vaccine, Pap Tests and When to Get Them","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/3c28d7c5-411e-4f08-b7be-203fe0b9894e/ae048842-f033-490f-a3ed-678a638ac8d4/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2020-12-03T18:44:57.006Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=5993032283001","description":"About 79 million Americans have HPV, a virus that can lead to cervical cancer. But a simple vaccine can prevent this infection and protect you from cervical cancer. ","duration":"PT1M8S","transcript":"January is Cervical Health Awareness Month.\nSo let's take a minute to chat about cervical health and why it matters.\nApproximately 79 million people in the US have HPV\nor human papillomavirus which can lead to cervical cancer.\nThe good news is cervical cancer is largely preventable.\nAnd there are vaccines and tests available to make early detection a snap.\nHPV vaccines protect against the types\nof HPV that cause 90% of cervical cancers.\nThe vaccine can begin at ages 11 or 12.\nStarting at age 21, women should get a pap test every three years.\nAfter age 30, women should be\nco-tested with a pap plus HPV test every 3 to 5 years.\nThis robust vaccination and screening process\nis the best way to keep your cervix healthy.\nTo learn more about cervical health and HPV screening\nor to make an appointment with your provider, visit sutterhealth.org."} ```