Teenagers (cont.)
Immunizations
This is the immunization schedule as recommended by the federally convened Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Teens should receive a trivalent Tdap vaccine booster at the 11-12 year visit if not previously vaccinated within
five years. With the exception of the Tdap booster at 11-12 years, routine boosters should be administered every 10 years.
- Teenagers should receive a second dose of MMR at 11-12 years of age, unless there is documentation of two vaccinations
earlier during childhood. The first vaccination is generally given at 1 year of
age. MMR should not be administered to
pregnant teens.
- Teens, 11-12 years of age, who have not received their second Varivax vaccination as part of a routine childhood schedule and who do not have a reliable history of chickenpox should receive this booster vaccination. The first dose is generally given at 1 year of age.
Most infants complete their immunization series against hepatitis B by their
first birthday. If not completed, this should be accomplished by teens 11-12
years of age. Hepatitis A should be given to teens who are traveling or living in
countries with high or intermediate hepatitis A virus (HAV), live in communities
with high rates of HAV, have chronic liver disease, are injecting drug users, or are
males who have sex with males. Complete immunization requires two vaccinations
separated by a minimum of six months.
Meningococcal vaccine—All teens 11-12 years of age should receive a onetime
only vaccination to prevent meningococcal diseases (meningitis, general body
sepsis, etc). Of note, this has become a mandatory vaccination for college.
Female teens should be immunized against human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the
leading cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. Three vaccinations over a
six-month period are necessary for maximum protection.
Annual vaccination against
influenza is recommended for all teens.
Last Editorial Review: 2/29/2008
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