| Preteens and teenagers need shots, too!
It’s important for you to get your immunizations because you can spread diseases to others, even if you don’t know that you have the disease. If you’re healthy because you got your immunizations, you will also help keep your friends, family, and school healthy by not spreading vaccine-preventable diseases. Getting shots may sting a little, but it’s much better than getting sick. Immunizations will help you stay healthy so you can keep doing the things you love - instead of being sick in bed.
Preteen Doctor Visits
All 11- and 12-year-olds should see their doctor to make sure they are up-to-date with their immunizations. Preteens will receive booster shots and new immunizations that are recommended for them.
The preteen doctor visit is a great opportunity for parents, health care providers, and preteens to discuss the challenges of growing up: staying healthy, eating right, standing up to peer pressure, and any other concerns. Preparing a preteen for the changes ahead is key for a healthy start as an adolescent.
Recommended Immunizations
Shots that are recommended for 11- and 12-years-olds include:
- Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) that protects against meningitis and other related infections
- Tetanus booster (Tdap) that also protects against whooping cough
- A second chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine if they have never had chickenpox disease and only received one dose previously
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that can protect girls against cervical cancer in adulthood
- Influenza vaccine that protects against the flu.
Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria that can infect the blood or areas around the brain and spinal cord. The disease is rare, but its effects are devastating. Infection can lead to brain damage, disability, and rapid death.
Meningococcal disease is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years old in the United States. Approximately, 2,600 cases of meningococcal disease are reported each year in the United States. Despite treatment, 10-15% of people who get the disease die from it. Another 10-20% suffer long-term consequences.
The meningococcal conjugate vaccine protects against four of the five most common groups of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Meningococcal vaccine is recommended for 11-and 12-year-olds at their routine preteen doctor visit. Immunization is also recommended for college freshmen who will be living in dorms, adolescents at high school entry who have not previously received MCV4, and groups at high-risk for meningococcal disease.
Tetanus and Whooping Cough
The new Tdap vaccine is now used as a booster for preteens and adolescents because it protects them from tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis). The protection against pertussis is important. Of the 3,160 reported pertussis cases in California with onset in 2005, almost one in four was among 10- to 19-year-olds.
Whooping cough can cause preteens to have severe coughing that leads to vomiting or broken ribs. They can be hospitalized for pneumonia and miss weeks of school or work. Even worse, they can spread whooping cough to babies at home, who can get very sick from the disease.
Whooping cough is very serious for babies. It can cause them to cough so much that they can’t breathe. Hundreds of babies are hospitalized each year for pertussis, and some die from it. To help stop the spread of pertussis to babies, preteens and other family members should get the new Tdap shot to protect themselves from whooping cough (and diphtheria and tetanus).
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Chickenpox (varicella) can be particularly dangerous in adolescents and adults. It can lead to severe skin infections, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death.
A second chickenpox shot is newly recommended for preteens and adolescents who have not had chickenpox disease and only received one dose previously.
If preteens need both a measles and a chickenpox shot, they can also get the new measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine in one shot.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a virus, and some HPV types can cause cervical cancer in women. In the United States every year about 6.2 million people get infected with HPV. HPV infection is most common in young women and men who are in their late teens and early 20s.
The currently licensed HPV vaccine protects against two types of HPV, which are the cause of 70 percent of cervical cancer.
The Federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently recommended a three-dose series of HPV vaccine for all girls ages 11 to 12 years old. Immunization is also recommended for young women 13 through 26 years old who haven’t been previously vaccinated or have not completed the three-dose series. Girls as young as 9 years of age can also receive the vaccine.
Hepatitis B (Hep B)
Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for 11-12 year olds who have not already received this series of 3 shots. Documentation of the student's meeting this requirement is required for students entering 7th grade in all California schools.
Influenza (Flu)
Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold.
School Immunizations
California’s School Immunization Law requires documentation of the following immunizations for students entering 7th grade:
- 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) both on or after the 1st birthday
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B
- 1 dose of Td (not required by recommended if more than 5 years have passed since last DTP, DtaP, DT, or Td dose)
Students entering college should also check with their healthcare provider to see if they should get the Meningococcal vaccine, which is recommended for some students, particularly freshmen who will be living in college dormitories. Don’t wait - Vaccinate Before You Graduate!
Resources for Adolescent Immunizations
Vaccinate B4U Graduate is a campaign developed by the California School Nurses Organization in partnership with the California Department of Health Services to encourage high school seniors and 8th graders to get immunized before graduation. They developed letters of parents and flyers in English and Spanish. Examples of materials below. All materials can be downloaded from the CSNO website.
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Letter for Parents of
8th Grade Students |
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Letter for Parents of
High School Students |
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Flyer for 8th Grade Students |
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Flyer for High School Students |
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For more information on adolescent immunization, we recommend these websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Immunization Program at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/default.htm#adolpreteens
California Department of Health Services Adolescent Website at:
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/dcdc/izgroup/family/teens/teens.htm
California Coalition for Childhood Immunization (C3I)
http://immunizeca.org/index.pacq?id=23&tier=1 |
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HOT TOPICS
CDC's Pre-Teen Vaccine Campaign
CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases launched a Pre-teen Vaccine Campaign aimed at promoting vaccination of pre-teens (11-12 year olds)
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