What vaccinations are recommended for a 13-year-old?

Recommended Vaccinations for a 13-Year-Old

For a 13-year-old, the CDC recommends Tdap, meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY), human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, and annual influenza vaccine as the core immunizations, with additional catch-up vaccinations if needed. 1

Core Vaccinations

Tdap Vaccine

• Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough)
• Should be administered at age 11-12 years
• If not received previously, should be given at age 13 2, 1

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY)

• First dose recommended at age 11-12 years
• Second dose needed at age 16 years
• Particularly important for those with complement component deficiency or anatomic/functional asplenia 2, 1
• MenACWY provides protection against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y 3

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

• Recommended for both males and females
• First dose typically given at age 11-12 years
• For those beginning the series before age 15, a two-dose schedule is recommended
• Provides protection against HPV types that can cause various cancers 2, 1
• No additional dose is recommended when any HPV vaccine series of any valency has been completed using recommended dosing intervals 2

Influenza Vaccine

• Should be administered annually
• Particularly important for adolescents with chronic medical conditions 1
• Any age-appropriate influenza vaccine can be used regardless of egg allergy history 2

Additional Vaccinations

Catch-up Vaccinations

Check if the following vaccines were missed during childhood and administer if needed:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Verify receipt of two doses at ≥12 months of age 2, 1
• Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses required for adolescents without reliable history of chickenpox 2, 1
• Hepatitis B: Complete the three-dose series if not already done 2, 1
• Polio: Complete the series if not already done 2, 1

Special Considerations

• Medical Conditions: Adolescents with certain medical conditions may require additional vaccines, such as pneumococcal vaccines 1
• Immunocompromised Patients: Live vaccines should be avoided in immunocompromised individuals 1
• Multiple Vaccines: Can be administered during the same visit 1
• Administration: Vaccines should be administered intramuscularly, preferably in the deltoid muscle 1
• Interrupted Schedules: If vaccination schedule is interrupted, it does not need to be restarted - simply continue where left off 1

Vaccination Coverage Trends

Recent data from the National Immunization Survey-Teen indicates that vaccination coverage among adolescents has been improving but still falls short of the Healthy People 2010 objective of ≥90% coverage for adolescents aged 13-15 years for certain vaccines 4, 5. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunization services, potentially affecting catch-up vaccination for adolescents 6.

Implementation Recommendations

1. Document Vaccination Status: Review the adolescent's vaccination records to identify any missing vaccines
2. Schedule Follow-up: For multi-dose vaccines like HPV, schedule follow-up appointments for subsequent doses at the time of initial vaccination
3. Address Parental Concerns: Provide factual information about vaccine safety and effectiveness
4. Monitor for Syncope: Have the adolescent sit or lie down for 15 minutes after vaccination due to potential for fainting 1

Following these recommendations will help ensure that 13-year-olds receive all necessary vaccinations to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases and reduce transmission within the community.