The importance of continued immunizations between 11 and 18 years of age (pre-teen and adolescence) is not always recognized.
CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that pre-teens get several vaccines at their 11 or 12 year old check-up.
- Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, for girls
These vaccines prevent serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. Immunity from some childhood vaccines can decrease over time, so people need to get another dose of the vaccine during their pre-teen years. Also, as children move into adolescence, they are at greater risk of catching certain diseases, like meningitis and HPV.
Download the Adolescent Immunization Schedule at the CDC website.