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

Recommended Vaccinations for a 19-Year-Old

A 19-year-old should receive the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) if not previously vaccinated after age 16, HPV vaccine series if not completed, Tdap if not received since age 11, annual influenza vaccine, and hepatitis A vaccine. 1

Core Vaccinations for 19-Year-Olds

Meningococcal Vaccines

• MenACWY (Meningococcal conjugate vaccine):

  • If not previously received after 16th birthday, administer one dose 1
  • Particularly important for first-year college students living in residence halls 2, 1
  • Provides protection against potentially fatal meningococcal disease with effectiveness of 69% for up to 8 years 3

• MenB (Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine):

  • Recommended based on shared clinical decision-making for adults aged 16-23 years 1
  • Available as either:
    • MenB-FHbp (Trumenba): 2-dose series (0,6 months) for healthy individuals
    • MenB-4C (Bexsero): 2-dose series at least 1 month apart 1
  • Especially important for college students due to increased risk during outbreaks (200-1400-fold) 1

HPV Vaccine

• Complete HPV vaccination series if not already done:
  • For females through age 26 years: 2vHPV, 4vHPV, or 9vHPV 2
  • For males through age 21 years: 4vHPV or 9vHPV (may be vaccinated through age 26) 2
  • Extended recommendation through age 26 for:
    • Men who have sex with men
    • Immunocompromised persons (including those with HIV) 2, 1
  • If starting at age 19, requires 3-dose series (0,1-2, and 6 months) 1

Other Essential Vaccines

• Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis):

  • If not received since age 11, administer one dose 4
  • Booster Td or Tdap every 10 years thereafter

• Influenza vaccine:

  • Annual vaccination recommended for all adults 2

• Hepatitis A vaccine:

  • Recommended for adults aged 19 years and older (HAVRIX 1440 EL.U./mL) 5

Special Considerations

For College Students

• MenACWY is critical for first-year college students living in residence halls if not received after 16th birthday 2, 1
• Consider MenB vaccination due to recent outbreaks on college campuses 1

For High-Risk Individuals

• Additional MenACWY/MenB recommendations for those with:
  • Anatomical or functional asplenia
  • Persistent complement component deficiencies
  • HIV infection
  • Microbiologists routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis 2, 1

For International Travelers

• MenACWY for those traveling to countries with hyperendemic or epidemic meningococcal disease 2

Administration Considerations

• All recommended vaccines can be safely administered during the same visit at different anatomical sites 1
• Vaccine-specific contraindications include:
  • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to previous doses or vaccine components
  • Moderate or severe acute illness with fever (temporary precaution) 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Missing catch-up opportunities: Only 58% of children are up-to-date with all ACIP-recommended immunizations by 19-35 months 6
• Vaccine series completion: Failure to complete multi-dose series significantly reduces protection
• Vaccine interchangeability issues: MenB vaccines are not interchangeable; the same product must be used for all doses in a series 1
• Delaying vaccination: Leaves young adults vulnerable to preventable diseases during high-risk periods 1

Following this vaccination schedule will provide optimal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases during this critical transition to adulthood, significantly reducing morbidity and mortality risks.