What vaccines are recommended for a 19-year-old?

Recommended Vaccines for a 19-Year-Old

A 19-year-old should receive the following vaccines: annual influenza vaccine, Tdap (if not received as an adolescent) or Td booster, completion of HPV vaccine series (if not already completed), MenACWY (if not received within the past 5 years), and consideration for MenB vaccine through shared clinical decision-making. 1

Core Recommended Vaccines

1. Influenza Vaccine

• Annual vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine
• Recommended for all adults regardless of age 1
• Can be administered as inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV)
• Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) should be avoided in certain conditions including immunocompromise

2. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap/Td)

• If never received Tdap as an adolescent: One dose of Tdap
• If previously received Tdap: Td or Tdap booster every 10 years 1
• Important for preventing pertussis (whooping cough) which can be severe and highly contagious

3. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

• Recommended for all adults through age 26 years who have not been adequately vaccinated previously 1
• Catch-up vaccination is strongly recommended for those who haven't completed the series
• Standard series consists of:
  • If started before age 15: 2 doses at least 5 months apart
  • If started at age 15 or older: 3 doses (0,1-2, and 6 months) 1
• Protects against HPV types that cause most cervical, anal, and other genital cancers, as well as genital warts

Additional Recommended Vaccines

4. Meningococcal Vaccines

• MenACWY (serogroups A, C, W, Y):

  • Recommended for first-year college students living in residence halls if not received within the past 5 years 1
  • Particularly important for those attending college, as outbreaks have occurred in this setting

• MenB (serogroup B):

  • Shared clinical decision-making is recommended for healthy adults aged 19-23 years 1, 2
  • Preferred age range for vaccination is 16-18 years 2
  • Two vaccine options available:
    • MenB-4C (Bexsero): 2-dose series at least 1 month apart
    • MenB-FHbp (Trumenba): 2-dose series (0,6 months) for healthy individuals 2

Special Situations Requiring Additional Vaccines

1. For Individuals with Specific Risk Factors

• Pneumococcal vaccines (PCV13 and/or PPSV23):

  • Recommended for those with chronic medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, etc.) 1
  • Also recommended for those who smoke cigarettes

• Hepatitis B vaccine:

  • Recommended for those with chronic liver disease, HIV, diabetes, or at risk due to sexual exposure or injection drug use 1

• Hepatitis A vaccine:

  • Recommended for those with chronic liver disease, men who have sex with men, injection/non-injection drug users, or those traveling to endemic areas 1

2. For College Students

• College students, especially those living in dormitories, are at higher risk for certain vaccine-preventable diseases:
  • Ensure MenACWY is up-to-date (within 5 years) 1
  • Consider MenB vaccination through shared clinical decision-making 1, 2
  • Ensure MMR vaccine is complete (2 doses) to prevent measles outbreaks

Implementation Tips

• Timing: Vaccines can be administered simultaneously at different injection sites to improve completion rates 2, 3
• Prioritization: If HPV series was not started or completed, prioritize initiating or completing it, as coverage rates for HPV remain lower than other adolescent vaccines 4, 5
• Missed opportunities: Every healthcare visit should be used as an opportunity to review vaccination status and administer needed vaccines 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Delaying HPV vaccination: HPV vaccination rates remain lower than other adolescent vaccines. Don't miss the opportunity to initiate or complete the series 6
• Forgetting about college-specific recommendations: First-year college students living in residence halls have specific recommendations for meningococcal vaccines 1
• Not considering individual risk factors: Additional vaccines may be needed based on medical conditions, occupation, or lifestyle factors
• Assuming vaccination is complete after childhood: Many adults have gaps in their vaccination history that need to be addressed

Remember that vaccination status should be reviewed at every healthcare visit, and any missing vaccines should be administered according to the catch-up schedule to ensure optimal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.