Adolescents

Immunizations for Adolescents

Leaving their lunch at home, forgetting to get a permission slip signed, suddenly needing a ride somewhere after school…you knew there would be days like this. But did you know that as they get older, teens are at increased risk for some infections. Also, the protection provided by some childhood vaccines begins to wear off. Immunizations can help protect your teens, their friends, the community and other family members around them.

Recommended Vaccines for Adolescents

There are four vaccines recommended for preteens and teens. They should all get a flu vaccine every year, and the three other vaccines should be given starting when they are 11-12 years old. If you have an older teen it is not too late to get shots they’ve missed. Your teen may also need a booster of a vaccine that needs more than one dose.

• Flu (Influenza) vaccine- Even healthy teens can get the flu and it can be serious. A dose every year is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
• HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine, which protects girls and women against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer. HPV vaccine can also help protect boys against genital warts and anal cancer. The HPV vaccine is given in 3 doses over a 6-month period to boys and girls starting at 11-12 years old.
• Meningococcal vaccine protects against the devastating bacterial infection meningococcal meningitis. The infection can cause brain damage, arm and leg amputations, kidney damage, and death. The first dose is recommended at age 11 or 12 followed by a booster (2nd shot) at age 16.
• Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (or whooping cough). Tdap is required for 7th grade entry in California.

Help protect your teen’s health by getting them vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule

Where to get Vaccinated
Immunization Clinic locations