Recommended Vaccines for 10-Year-Old Children
At age 10, the recommended vaccines include Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis), annual influenza vaccine, and catch-up on any missed childhood immunizations including MMR, varicella, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. 1, 2
Core Vaccines Recommended at Age 10
Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap): BOOSTRIX® is specifically approved for use starting at age 10, while ADACEL™ is approved starting at age 11. This vaccine should be administered at age 10-11 years for those who have completed their childhood DTP/DTaP series and have not received a recent tetanus booster. 1, 2
Influenza vaccine (TIV): Annual administration is recommended for all children. Only the inactivated form (TIV) should be used in certain populations (such as immunocompromised children), while either TIV or the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) may be used for healthy children. 1, 2
Catch-up Vaccines (if not previously completed)
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR): Verify that the second dose has been administered (typically given between ages 4-6 years). 1, 2
Varicella vaccine: Verify that the second dose has been administered (typically given between ages 4-6 years). 1, 2
Hepatitis A vaccine: Complete the two-dose series if not already finished. The doses should be administered at least 6 months apart. 1, 2
Hepatitis B vaccine: Verify completion of the three-dose series. 2
Special Population Recommendations
Meningococcal vaccine: While routine vaccination with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) is typically recommended at age 11-12, it is specifically recommended for 10-year-olds with certain high-risk conditions: 1, 3
- Complement component deficiencies
- Anatomic or functional asplenia
- HIV infection (may elect vaccination)
- Other high-risk groups
Pneumococcal vaccine: For children with certain high-risk conditions who were not previously vaccinated with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV), administration is recommended. If previously vaccinated with PPSV, a revaccination should be given after 5 years. 1
Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV): While typically started at age 11-12, HPV vaccine has a minimum age of 9 years and could be considered for certain populations. 1
Clinical Considerations
Tdap can be administered regardless of the interval since the last tetanus or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine, though a 5-year interval is encouraged when used as a booster. 1
For children who received Tdap at age 10 years, they do not need to receive the routine Tdap dose at age 11-12 years. 1, 4
Safety studies show that Tdap5 (Adacel) is safe and immunogenic in 10-year-olds, with similar rates of injection site reactions, systemic reactions, and adverse events compared to 11-year-olds. 4
Contraindications to Tdap include history of serious allergic reaction to any vaccine component or encephalopathy within 7 days of a previous pertussis vaccine dose not attributable to another cause. 1
Precautions include Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of a previous tetanus toxoid vaccine, progressive neurologic disorder, uncontrolled epilepsy, or progressive encephalopathy. 1
Document all administered vaccines and plan for subsequent doses as needed. 2