What vaccines does a 13-year-old need?

Recommended Vaccines for a 13-Year-Old

A 13-year-old should receive Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis), MenACWY (meningococcal conjugate), HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines, and a second dose of varicella vaccine if not previously received. 1

Core Adolescent Vaccines

Tdap Vaccine

• Recommended for all adolescents at age 11-12 years
• If not received at 11-12 years, should be administered at 13 years
• Provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough)
• Booster dose essential to ensure long-lasting immunity 1

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY)

• First dose recommended at age 11-12 years
• If not received earlier, should be administered at 13 years
• Protects against meningococcal disease which can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections
• A second dose is recommended at age 16 years 1

HPV Vaccine

• Recommended for both boys and girls at age 11-12 years
• If not started earlier, should be initiated at 13 years
• Protects against HPV infections that can cause various cancers and genital warts
• Most effective when administered before potential exposure to HPV through sexual contact 1
• For those starting the series before age 15, a 2-dose schedule is recommended 1

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine

• Second dose recommended at age 11-12 years if not previously received
• Approximately 20% of adolescents ages 11-12 years remain susceptible to varicella 1
• Particularly important as complications from chickenpox are more severe in adolescents and adults than in younger children 1

Additional Vaccines Based on Individual Circumstances

Influenza Vaccine

• Annual vaccination recommended for all adolescents
• Particularly important for those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease 1

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

• Verify that the adolescent has received two doses of MMR vaccine
• Especially important given recent measles outbreaks 1

Catch-up Vaccines

• Hepatitis B: Complete the 3-dose series if not already done
• Polio: Complete the series if not already done
• Any other routine childhood vaccines that may have been missed

Implementation Considerations

Simultaneous Administration

• All recommended vaccines can be administered during the same visit
• This approach increases timely protection and reduces missed opportunities 1
• No increase in adverse effects has been observed when multiple vaccines are administered together 1

Common Barriers to Address

• Parental concerns about vaccine safety should be addressed with factual information
• 54% of parents express concern about serious adverse effects of vaccines 1
• Emphasize that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect adolescents from serious diseases

Follow-up

• Ensure completion of multi-dose vaccine series (particularly HPV)
• Schedule follow-up appointments for subsequent doses at the time of initial vaccination

Special Considerations

• Adolescents with certain medical conditions may require additional vaccines (e.g., pneumococcal vaccines for those with diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, or cochlear implants) 1
• Review the adolescent's complete medical history to identify any specific risk factors that might warrant additional vaccines

By ensuring your 13-year-old receives these recommended vaccines, you are providing critical protection against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases during this important developmental period.