From the Guidelines
A 12-year-old male well-child visit should include a comprehensive physical examination, growth assessment, developmental screening, and preventive care recommendations, with a strong emphasis on administering the Tdap and HPV vaccines, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1. The visit should begin with measuring height, weight, BMI, and vital signs, including blood pressure. A review of the child's medical history, family history, and social history should be conducted, followed by a complete physical examination, including assessment of pubertal development using Tanner staging.
- Vision and hearing screenings should be performed to detect any potential issues.
- Recommended immunizations at this age include:
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1.
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY).
- HPV vaccine, which is given as a 2-dose series if started before age 15, with doses separated by 6-12 months, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1.
- Annual influenza vaccination is also recommended to protect against the flu. Laboratory screening should include a hemoglobin/hematocrit test to check for anemia, especially if the child has not been previously screened.
- Healthy lifestyle habits should be discussed, including:
- Balanced nutrition.
- Limiting sugary beverages.
- Getting 8-10 hours of sleep nightly.
- At least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
- Mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues, should be screened for and addressed.
- Anticipatory guidance about puberty, body changes, hygiene, and emerging sexuality should be provided.
- School performance, peer relationships, and screen time limits (recommended 2 hours or less of recreational screen time daily) should be discussed.
- Safety topics, including seat belt use, helmet use during sports, sun protection, and avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, should be addressed. This comprehensive approach addresses the physical, developmental, and psychosocial needs of a pre-adolescent boy, with a focus on preventing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1.
From the Research
Well Child Visit Recommendations for a 12-Year-Old Male
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends several vaccines for adolescents, including Tdap, meningococcal, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A study published in 2023 found that initiating the HPV vaccine series prior to other vaccines in the adolescent platform (Tdap or meningococcal vaccines) may improve on-time series completion 2.
- Another study published in 2016 found that concomitant (same-day) delivery of two or more vaccines to adolescents is effective, safe, and efficient, and can improve coverage for recommended adolescent vaccines 3.
- The 4 Pillars Practice Transformation Program has been shown to increase adolescent vaccinations, including HPV, influenza, Tdap, and meningococcal vaccines 4.
- A randomized, observer-blind, controlled trial found that concomitant administration of a quadrivalent HPV vaccine with Tdap and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines did not impact the immunogenicity of Tdap and meningococcal vaccines, or safety 5.
- A study published in 2015 found that coadministration of a 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine with meningococcal and Tdap vaccines was generally well tolerated and did not interfere with the antibody response to any of these vaccines 6.
Vaccination Schedule
- Tdap vaccine: recommended at age 11-12 years 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Meningococcal vaccine: recommended at age 11-12 years, with a booster dose at age 16 years 3, 4, 5, 6.
- HPV vaccine: recommended at age 11-12 years, with a series of two or three doses depending on the vaccine product and the age at initiation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Influenza vaccine: recommended annually for all children aged 6 months and older 4.