Vaccines Needed by Teens and College Students

Vaccines are not just for babies and young children. As children get older, the protection provided by some early childhood vaccines can wear off. Children also generally develop risks for more diseases as they approach their teen years. For these reasons, older children – including teens - need to receive recommended vaccinations. Don’t assume that your child received all recommended vaccinations in the past. Talk to your child’s health care provider about your child’s current health and need for vaccinations.

Vaccines Needed for Teens & College Students

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) currently recommends these 3 vaccines for administration beginning with your child’s 11-12 year-old checkup (or as soon as possible and recommended, if your child is older and has not received the vaccines).

• Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
• Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series
  The HPV vaccine is also known as the “cervical cancer vaccine.” In June 2006, ACIP recommended the HPV vaccine series for females only based on research results available at that time. If future research shows that the vaccine is also safe and effective for males, additional recommendations may be made.

Older children should get the following vaccinations if they did not receive all recommended doses when younger:                

• Hepatitis B series
• Polio series
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) series
• Varicella (chickenpox) series – A second catch-up varicella shot is now recommended for children, adolescents, and adults who have previously received one dose.

Some children may need additional vaccines either due to their own specific health conditions or exposure in households to other people with age-related or health-related risks. The additional vaccines for which your child should be assessed include:

• Influenza
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV)
• Hepatitis A

Vaccines Chart

Vaccines Recommended for Teens and College Students

• Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertussis vaccine
• Meningococcal vaccine*
• HPV vaccine series
• Hepatitis B vaccine series
• Polio vaccine series
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine series
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine series
• Influenza vaccine
• Pneumococcal polysaccharid (PPV) vaccine
• Hepatitis A vaccine series

* Recommended for previously unvaccinated college freshmen living in dormitories.

More Information

• Every day, teens are infected with hepatitis B...
  Includes information on how teens get Hepatitis B (sex with infected person; sharing objects with blood of an infected person, e.g., needles, tootbrushes, razors, washcloths, etc.; getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterile equipment)
• Are you 11-19 years old? Then you need to be vaccinated against these serious diseases!
• "Meningitis on Campus: Don't Wait. Vaccinate," a brochure produced by the National Meningitis Association
  Offers college-bound students and their parents a succinct, practical introduction to meningococcal meningitis. In the space of two pages, it outlines the etiology and epidemiology of the disease and makes a strong case for vaccination. Also available for text-only screen-reader devices