The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a number of vaccines for children and teenagers between the ages of eleven and eighteen. Find out which vaccines are recommended and at what times with the following recommended vaccination schedule for children from eleven to eighteen years old.
Recommended Vaccines
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP or Tdap): Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial disease that results in suffocation, heart failure, and paralysis. Tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful spasms and muscle stiffness. Pertussis, or whooping cough, initially causes symptoms similar to the common cold but can result in seizures, pneumonia, brain damage, and death, especially in babies and young children. The combination DTaP vaccine should be administered between 11 and 12 years and between 13 and 18 years for children on a catch-up schedule.
Hepatitis A (HepA): Hepatitis A is a liver infection that can result in death and which is spread through contact with infected feces. The HepA vaccine should be administered to children in certain high-risk groups between 11 and 18 years.
Hepatitis B (HepB): Hepatitis B is a liver infection that causes liver disease, cirrhosis, and cancer and which is spread through contact with infected blood and other bodily fluids. The HepB vaccine should be administered to children on a catch-up schedule between 11 and 18 years.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): The human papillomavirus is a virus that can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, and other cancers of the genital region. The HPV vaccine should be administered between 11 and 12 years and between 13 and 18 years for children on a catch-up schedule.
Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV): The poliovirus is a viral infection that results in paralysis or death. The IPV vaccine should be administered to children on a catch-up schedule between 11 and 18 years.
Influenza (Flu): Influenza is a viral infection that often results in pneumonia, bronchitis, or death in young children. Influenza can also lead to complications resulting in hospitalization and death for all age groups. The Flu vaccine should be administered yearly. The first time the Flu vaccine is administered, the child will need two doses spaced two to four weeks apart.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Measles is a viral infection that often causes pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death. Mumps can lead to meningitis, encephalitis, hearing loss, swelling of the testes, and sterility. Rubella, or German measles, causes fever, swollen glands, and a rash; rubella is most dangerous for pregnant women, resulting in birth defects or death of the fetus. The combination MMR vaccine should be administered to children on a catch-up schedule between 11 and 18 years.
Meningococcal (MCV4): Meningococcal disease causes fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and altered mental status and can result in permanent disabilities, amputations, and death. The MCV4 vaccine should be administered between 11 and 12 years and between 13 and 18 years for children on a catch-up schedule.
Pneumococcal (PPSV): Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis as well as hearing loss, vision loss, and death. The PPSV vaccine should be administered to children in certain high-risk groups between 11 and 18 years.
Varicella (Var): Varicella, or chicken pox, can result in severe infections of the skin, brain, or lungs; sterility, and death. The Var vaccine should be administered to children on a catch-up schedule between 11 and 18 years.
Vaccination Schedule
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace the professional medical advice from your pediatrician. Additional information about the recommended vaccination schedule is available from the CDC or your health care professional.
References
Behen, Madonna. 2011. Sure shots: Your 18-month vaccine timeline. American Baby (Jan.).
Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
Meningitis: Signs & Symptoms: http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/symptoms.html
Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0 through 6 years: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/0-6yrs-schedule-pr.pdf
Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 7 through 18 years:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/7-18yrs-schedule-pr.pdf
Image Credits
Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0 through 6 years: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/0-6yrs-schedule-pr.pdf
Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 7 through 18 years:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/7-18yrs-schedule-pr.pdf
