What vaccinations are recommended for an 18-year-old male?

Recommended Vaccinations for an 18-Year-Old Male

An 18-year-old male should receive the influenza vaccine annually, a Tdap booster if not previously administered at age 11-12, MenACWY vaccine if not received after age 16, and consideration for HPV and MenB vaccines based on risk factors and previous vaccination status. 1

Core Recommended Vaccines

Influenza Vaccine

• Annual vaccination with the current seasonal influenza vaccine
• Can be administered regardless of egg allergy history 1

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)

• One dose of Tdap if not previously received during adolescence (ages 11-12)
• If Tdap was already administered, no additional dose is needed at this time 1

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY)

• One dose of MenACWY if not received on or after the 16th birthday
• Particularly important for first-year college students living in residence halls 1
• Military recruits should receive a single dose of MenACWY 1

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

• Complete 3-dose series if not previously vaccinated or series is incomplete
• For males aged 18-21 years who have not been previously vaccinated or who have not completed the series
• Recommended through age 26 years for men who have sex with men or who are immunocompromised 1
• Dosing schedule: 0,1-2 months, and 6 months 1

Meningococcal B Vaccine (MenB)

• May be administered to young adults aged 16-23 years (preferred age 16-18 years) based on shared clinical decision-making
• Options include either a 2-dose series of MenB-4C at least 1 month apart or a 2-dose series of MenB-FHbp at 0 and 6 months 1, 2
• Particularly important to consider for college students due to outbreaks on college campuses 2

Special Situations Requiring Additional Vaccines

For High-Risk Individuals

• Anatomical or functional asplenia: MenACWY (2-dose primary series at least 2 months apart with revaccination every 5 years) and MenB series 1
• Persistent complement component deficiencies: MenACWY and MenB series 1, 2
• HIV infection: MenACWY (2-dose primary series at least 2 months apart with revaccination every 5 years) 1
• Microbiologists routinely exposed to N. meningitidis: MenACWY and MenB series 1
• International travel to regions with hyperendemic/epidemic meningococcal disease: MenACWY with revaccination every 5 years if risk continues 1

For College Students

• First-year college students aged ≤21 years living in residence halls should receive MenACWY if not vaccinated on or after their 16th birthday 1, 2
• Consider MenB vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making, particularly given the 200-1400-fold increased risk of meningococcal disease during outbreaks 2

Practical Considerations

Concomitant Administration

• Multiple vaccines can be administered during the same visit at different anatomical sites 2, 3, 4
• Studies show that HPV, Tdap, and MenACWY vaccines can be administered together without decreased immunogenicity or increased reactogenicity 3, 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Missing the MenACWY booster: Only 23.2% of adolescents complete both the primary and booster doses of MenACWY 5
2. Overlooking HPV vaccination: Many males do not complete the HPV series, which protects against genital warts and HPV-related cancers
3. Failing to assess risk factors: Special populations may need additional vaccines or different dosing schedules
4. Not checking vaccination history: Verify previous doses to avoid unnecessary revaccination or missed opportunities

Vaccination Documentation

• Document all administered vaccines in the patient's medical record
• Encourage registration with state or regional Immunization Information Systems
• Provide the patient with documentation of vaccines received and recommended follow-up doses

By ensuring appropriate vaccination coverage for 18-year-old males, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases that cause substantial morbidity and mortality in this age group.