Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months through 18 years of age. Unless the adolescent has asthma or is immune compromised, either the “flu shot” (TIV) or the nasal vaccine (LAIV) can be give. See influenza vaccine.

Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine addresses N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135, which account for nearly 80 percent of adolescent cases of meningococcal meningitis or bloodstream infections.

This vaccine has several advantages over previous versions of the meningococcal vaccine including booster responses (memory), herd immunity if enough adolescents are immunized and possibly elimination of the carrier state. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommends immunizing all 11 to 18 year olds, entering college freshmen planning to live in dormitories and specific groups at increased risk of acquiring this disease. The MCV4 vaccine, unlike the earlier polysaccharide version of the vaccine, requires an intramuscular injection. Learn more about the meningococcal vaccine.

Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine was licensed by the United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. Since 2000, the number of cases of pertussis (whooping cough) has increased to epidemic proportions in people 10 to 19 years old. This is due to waning immunity that occurs five to eight years after childhood immunization and also after natural infection. Experts estimate there are nearly 1 million cases of pertussis each year in the United States. Not only does this disease pose a threat to the health of adolescents and older adults, but it also puts the lives of partially immunized or unimmunized infants at risk.

The CDC has recommended that all adolescents 11 to 12 years old routinely receive the Tdap vaccine. Further, adolescents 13-18 years old who have not previously had the vaccine should receive it as soon as possible . A two-year interval between other diphtheria and tetanus containing products and Tdap is encouraged for adolescents. Learn more about the Tdap vaccine.

HPV—or human papillomavirus — vaccine  which prevents cervical cancer, is the second vaccine (hepatitis B vaccine, which prevents liver cancer, was the first) that prevents cancer. HPV is a virus that can affect the genital area of the body. “Low-risk” types primarily produce genital warts (types 6 and 11 account for approximately 90 percent of genital warts), and “high-risk” oncogenic types can cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal and penile cancer. Types 16 and 18 HPV account for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases. The current HPV vaccine protects against types 16 and 18.

The vaccine is preventive and not therapeutic, thus it is most effective when administered before exposure to HPV via sexual contact. However, the vaccine is also recommended for females 11 to 26 years old who have had sexual contact, have had positive PAP tests or who have evidence of prior HPV infection. The vaccine addresses four types of HPV, and it is unlikely that young women have been infected with all four types; therefore, they could potentially benefit from being vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is recommended for routine use among adolescent females age 11 to 12 years of age (with administration at 9 to 10 years of age if preferred) and for those age 13 to 26 years who have not previously received vaccination. Research regarding efficacy among males and women older than age 26 years is ongoing. Learn more about the HPV vaccine.

Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is recommended for several populations. At the end of June 2006, a second dose of varicella was recommended for all children, adolescents and young adults who have previously received only one dose and have no evidence of having had the disease. A second dose will decrease the risk of break-through disease and associated school absence, missed work and potential medical complications associated with the chickenpox.

The MMRV vaccine (combination of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) is not licensed for use in those 13 years of age or older, so if both MMR and varicella are required above the age of 13 years, separate vaccines (given on the same day at different anatomic sites) are recommended. Learn more about the varicella vaccine.

Other information
Additional vaccines are recommended for special populations of adolescents requiring hepatitis A, prenemococcal vaccines, and for adolescents requiring “catch-up” with inactivated polio or hepatitis B vaccines.