Immunizations for Teenagers and Young Adults

Many parents tend to think of vaccines as something needed for infants and young children but less important later in life. In fact, teenagers and young adults often get a number of vaccine-preventable diseases, including hepatitis B, measles, German measles, and chickenpox. They need protection against infectious illnesses as well.

Teenagers should continue to see their pediatricians or other physicians on a regular basis. All teens (or their parents) should keep an updated record of their immunizations. Many will need more vaccinations as teenagers, particularly if they haven’t been previously vaccinated against hepatitis B or chickenpox, for example, or if they’re fallen behind on some of their other immunizations.

Here are guidelines for specific vaccines for teenagers as established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other medical organizations.

• Hepatitis B. Most people who have a hepatitis B infection got the virus as teenagers or young adults. If teenagers have not been previously immunized with the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine, they should be given this vaccination. Teenagers older than 18 years who have an increased risk for hepatitis B infection—perhaps because they are sexually active, live in the same household as a person infected with hepatitis B, or were exposed on the job—are candidates for hepatitis B immunization.
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Check your teenager’s immunization records to be sure he received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. If not, he should receive the second dose of this combination vaccine.
• Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) or tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster. The Tdap vaccine was licensed for use in 2005. It should be given to children aged 11 to 12 years if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose. The Td booster is used in children who should not get pertussis vaccine. Booster doses of Td are recommended every 10 years for adults.
• Chickenpox. This vaccine should be given to teens that have never had chickenpox and have never received this immunization. If a teenager is 13 years or older, 2 doses given a month apart will be needed.
• Influenza. The influenza vaccine is recommended each year for teenagers who have a medical condition that places them at higher risk of problems if they get the flu. It is also recommended if they have close contact with anyone who is at high risk for complications of the flu, such as a younger brother or sister. Finally, it is recommended for anyone who wants to lower risk for the flu.
• Meningococcal. The new conjugate meningococcal vaccine is recommended for children aged 11 to 12 years, those entering high school, and students entering college, especially those who will be living in dormitories.
• Pneumococcal. This vaccine should be given to teenagers who have a condition that makes them more likely to get pneumococcal disease and the problems associated with it.
• Hepatitis A. The vaccine against hepatitis A infections is appropriate for teenagers who fall into any number of categories, including those who live in a community with a high rate of hepatitis A infections or are planning to travel to or attend school in a country or state with a high rate of hepatitis A infections.