Why Do Pre-teens and Adolescents Need Immunizations?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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
Influenza (flu) vaccine (annually from September through January and beyond) new

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. If your child did not get these vaccines at age 11 or 12, schedule an appointment to get them now.

This page last modified on December 3, 2008
Content last reviewed on December 3, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases