Be Wise, Immunize: Teen Vaccinations

Q. I made sure my kids got all of their childhood immunizations, but now that they’ve hit their teens which vaccinations should they have?

A. As kids get older, protection from some childhood vaccines begins to wear off. Plus, older kids can also develop risks for other diseases. Talk to your child’s doctor about the necessary vaccinations the CDC recommends, which include:

• A Tdap booster shot to protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis).
• An MCV4 shot to protect pre-teens against types of meningococcal disease, including meningitis, a very serious infection of the tissue around the brain and spinal cord.
• 3 HPV shots to protect against human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer in women and genital warts as well as anal and oral cancer in women and men.
• A flu shot every year.

{valpo}Click here {/valpo}{portage}Click here {/portage}{laporte}Click here {/laporte}{nwindiana}Click here {/nwindiana} to read on vaccinating to protect those who rely on you as a caregiver and {valpo}here {/valpo}{portage}here {/portage}{laporte}here {/laporte}{nwindiana}here {/nwindiana} to read about why adults need immunizations too!