What vaccines are recommended for a 16-year-old?

Recommended Vaccines for a 16-Year-Old

A 16-year-old should receive the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) booster, meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series, and meningococcal B vaccine, along with any catch-up vaccines they may have missed. 1

Core Recommended Vaccines

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)

• If not already received, a 16-year-old should get one dose of Tdap vaccine 1
• This is a booster dose that should be administered if the adolescent has not received it previously at ages 11-12 years 1
• Subsequent Td boosters should be administered every 10 years 1

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY)

• A dose of MenACWY is recommended at age 16 years, even if the adolescent received a dose at age 11-12 years 1
• This is particularly important for first-year college students aged ≤21 years who will be living in residence halls 1
• The second dose provides continued protection during the period of increased risk through early adulthood 2, 3

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

• If not already completed, the HPV vaccination series should be administered 1
• For adolescents who start the series before age 15, a 2-dose schedule is recommended 2
• For those starting at age 16 or older, a 3-dose series is recommended 1
• HPV vaccination is recommended for both males and females 1

Meningococcal B Vaccine (MenB)

• MenB vaccine may be administered to adolescents aged 16-23 years (preferred age is 16-18 years) based on individual clinical decision making 1
• This is a relatively newer recommendation that provides protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease 1

Catch-Up Vaccines

If the 16-year-old has not received these vaccines previously, they should also receive:

• Hepatitis B (HepB): Complete the 3-dose series if not already done 1
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Ensure two doses have been received 1
• Varicella: Ensure two doses have been received if no reliable history of chickenpox 1

Special Considerations

• Influenza vaccine: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all adolescents 1
• Pneumococcal vaccine: Recommended for adolescents with certain chronic illnesses or immunocompromising conditions 1
• Hepatitis A vaccine: Recommended for adolescents with specific risk factors or who live in areas with high rates of hepatitis A 1

Implementation Considerations

• The 16-year visit provides an important opportunity to ensure all recommended vaccines are up to date 4, 3
• Coverage rates for adolescent vaccines remain below the Healthy People 2010/2020 targets of 90% 5, 6
• All recommended vaccines can be administered during the same visit 3
• Providers should review vaccination records at every healthcare encounter to identify and address any missing vaccines 2, 3

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Missing the 16-year MenACWY booster: Many adolescents receive the first dose at 11-12 years but miss the crucial booster dose at age 16 3, 6
• Incomplete HPV series: Coverage for completion of the HPV vaccine series is lower than for other adolescent vaccines 2, 3
• Focusing only on Tdap: There are substantial missed opportunities when providers administer Tdap but not other recommended vaccines during the same visit 3
• Not checking for catch-up needs: Some adolescents may have missed earlier childhood vaccines that should be completed during adolescence 1