Vaccines to Safeguard your Child’s Adolescence

Your teenager’s life may be at risk if you believe vaccination is required for kids only. Most of the vaccination schedule is completed by the age of 6 for children, however there are many other shots including boosters that your child needs during adolescence. Timely vaccination during teenage can ward-off various life-threatening diseases such as some cancers, genital warts, tetanus, hepatitis and chickenpox, etc. 

Go through this piece to learn the most important vaccines your teenager needs to ensure his/her wellbeing.

Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular pertussis (Tdap) or Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) booster

Tetanus is a deadly bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasm. Diphtheria and pertussis are also two bacterial infections that can hurt your child’s health.  The first vaccine is provided to children by the age of 4-6 to prevent these diseases. Your child needs booster shots of the same vaccine at the age of 11-12 yrs. If your child did not get the required vaccines at that age, then get him/her immunized between the age of 13 to 18.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus is a dangerous virus that can cause cervical, anal, penile and throat cancers. This virus can also cause genital warts. In most cases, the HPV virus gets cleared from the bodies on its own. However, this virus can establish itself in some people. These vaccines are given in a series of 2 doses, first of which is recommended at the age of 11-12 years, and the second within 6-12 months of the first shot. If your teenager has not got any of them, then consult your doctor.

Meningococcal 

A bacteria called meningococcus causes two serious meningococcal diseases;

1. Meningitis, an infection that troubles fluid and lining covering brain and spinal cord.
2. Septicemia, a dangerous blood infection that can mar various organs of the body.

The first dose of Meningococcal vaccine is suggested for children at the age of 11-12. 16 is the age to get a booster of the same. If your preteen or teenager has not got any of these vaccines, then get him/her immunized between the age of 13 to 18.

Influenza

Influenza or flu is a life-threatening disease and the sufferer can have fever, chills, cough and sore throat. Complications from flu can cause sinus or ear infection, pneumonia and even death. Yearly vaccination for all teenagers is recommended to prevent this illness. In fact, every person above the age of 6 months should get influenza vaccine.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A and B are highly contagious liver infections that can damage liver. Immunize your child by the age of 18 to guard his/her health from liver inflammation, sexually transmitted disease and other ailments. 

Measles, Mumps and Rubella

Measles, mumps and rubella are three diseases that can cause fever, headache, muscle ache and loss of appetite. Complications of these ailments can lead one to pneumonia, diarrhea, meningitis and death. Two doses of MMR are given to children by the age of 4, if your teenager has not got them, then get him/her vaccinated by the age of 18.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is another highly contagious viral infection that can cause itchy and blistery rashes on skin. Getting two doses of chickenpox vaccine is must for your child to keep this disease away. If your teenager has not got these vaccine shots yet, then let him/her have it by the age of 18. Teenagers who haven’t received any of the vaccine should get the whole series shot by the age of 18.

Realizing your duty towards your child and providing him/her timely vaccinations can save the child’s health as well as money. So, be a proactive parent to ensure incredible health of your teenager. You should also consult your doctor to learn more about teenage vaccination.