One of the most important actions you can take is to make sure you are up to date on your vaccines. If you were vaccinated when you were younger know protection wears off over time, and you may need another dose of that vaccine. It’s important for us to protect ourselves but it’s even more important for us to be vaccinated to protect the most vulnerable, babies and elders.
It’s hard to know what vaccines you should or shouldn’t get. The following vaccines are recommended:
- When you are 11-12 years old, you need the Tdap, meningococcal conjugate, and HPV vaccines.
- When you are 16 years old, you will need another meningococcal conjugate vaccine as a booster.
- Some teens and young adults may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine.
- All preteens and teens need a yearly flu vaccine.
Check out this easy to read chart below or take the quick quiz to find out which vaccines YOU may need.
Ages Birth-18: https://www2a.cdc.gov/vaccines
Ages 19 and older: https://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adult
| Routinely Recommended Adolescent Vaccinations | ||||
| Vaccine | 11-12 YEARS | 13-15 YEARS | 16 YEARS | 17-18 YEARS |
| Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) in place of a Td booster | 1 dose Tdap *receive (Td) booster every 10 years thereafter | Catch-up if not already vaccinated | Catch-up if not already vaccinated | Catch-up if not already vaccinated |
| Meningococcal (MCV4) | 1 dose | |||
| Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) booster | 1st dose | Catch-up if not already vaccinated | 2nd dose booster | Catch-up if not already vaccinated |
| Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB) | 1 dose | Catch-up if not already vaccinated | ||
| Human papillomavirus (HPV) The vaccination series can start at age 9 years | 2-dose series *for persons starting the series before their 15th birthday | Catch-up if not already vaccinated | 3-dose series *recommended to those who start the series on or after their 15th birthday | Catch-up if not already vaccinated |
| Influenza | Annual | Annual | Annual | Annual |
| For the complete schedule, go to the combined-schedule. | ||||
Resources
Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens, Age 11–19 Years: Teen Schedule
Factsheet for Parents of Preteens and Teens (7 through 18 years): www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents
