About Vaccinations for Preteens and Adolescents (11-18 years)

Overview

Vaccines help provide protection against many diseases. They help the body to increase protective antibodies that fight off infections. With antibodies, preteens and adolescents may not develop illness from the infection or may not develop severe infection. There are many vaccines, also referred to as immunizations, that are given during the preteen and adolescent years.

Each year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) review and provide updated guidance on vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccine recommendations that commonly apply to preteens and adolescents include:

  • COVID-19
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza (Flu)
  • Meningococcus
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis

Here’s a summary of each disease and recommended vaccines. These are general recommendations based on current CDC immunization guidance and FDA vaccine labeling. New vaccines may become available, updated, or recommended. Check with a healthcare professional about the specific vaccines that are available and the timing of vaccination for your preteen or adolescent.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)

  • COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Children and adolescents can develop severe COVID-19, including illness that requires hospitalization. Vaccination helps protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19, including people with weakened immune systems or certain underlying medical conditions.
  • Who should receive a COVID-19 vaccine? CDC’s most recent clinical guidance uses individual-based decision-making, also called shared clinical decision-making, for COVID-19 vaccination in people ages 6 months and older. Parents and caregivers should discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with a healthcare professional, especially if the child has a condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19.
  • What vaccines are available? For the 2026–2027 season, FDA has recommended that COVID-19 vaccines be updated to a monovalent JN.1-lineage XFG variant vaccine. The 2026–2027 vaccines include mRNA vaccines and a protein subunit vaccine. Older seasonal formulations should not be used once replaced by the updated season’s vaccines.
    • mRNA vaccines: For the 2026–2027 season, FDA-approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccines include Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty, Moderna’s Spikevax, and Moderna’s mNEXSPIKE. Comirnaty is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 5 through 64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Spikevax is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 6 months through 64 years with at least one underlying high-risk condition. mNEXSPIKE is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 12 through 64 years with at least one underlying high-risk condition.
    • Protein subunit vaccine: For the 2026–2027 season, FDA-approved protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine options include Novavax’s Nuvaxovid. Nuvaxovid is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 12 through 64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

  • HPV infection is a very common viral infection that may cause anal and genital warts as well as oral and anogenital cancers later in life. HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has HPV. Many people may not know they are infected.
  • Who should receive the HPV vaccine? HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at ages 11–12 years and can be started as early as age 9. Most people who start the series before their 15th birthday need 2 doses, given 6–12 months apart. People who start the series at age 15 or older, and people with certain immunocompromising conditions, need 3 doses.
  • What vaccines are available? Gardasil 9 protects against nine types of HPV including the two types that have the highest association with cancer.

Influenza (Flu)

  • Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with influenza viruses, including influenza type A and influenza type B viruses. These viruses cause the flu each year during flu season, generally October through May. The viruses may change each year, so new flu vaccines are made available each season, often starting around September.
  • Who should receive vaccine? All people 6 months old or older should receive the annual influenza vaccine each year, unless contraindicated (such as an allergic reaction to the flu shot).
  • What vaccines are available? There are many brands of flu shot available each year. Check with the doctor or pharmacist regarding whether a specific flu shot is recommended for your preteen or adolescent.

Meningococcus

  • Meningococcal disease is a relatively rare but serious condition caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. Infection can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections that may become severe or life-threatening within hours. Meningococcal bacteria are spread through close or lengthy contact with infected people. Adolescents and young adults have increased risk compared with some other age groups.
  • Who should receive meningococcal vaccines? CDC recommends that all adolescents receive a MenACWY vaccine at age 11–12 years, followed by a booster dose at age 16 years. MenB vaccination may be given to adolescents and young adults ages 16–23 years based on shared clinical decision-making, with a preferred age of 16–18 years. Some children, adolescents, and adults with certain medical conditions or other risk factors may need meningococcal vaccination on a different schedule.
  • What vaccines are available? It is important to check with a healthcare professional regarding whether a specific meningococcus vaccine is recommended for your child’s individual situation.
    • Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY): Menveo, MenQuadfi
    • Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB): Bexsero, Trumenba
    • Pentavalent meningococcal (MenABCWY): Penbraya, Penmenvy

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis

  • Tetanus is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Tetanus can cause lockjaw and can progress to painful muscle spasms, seizures, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing.
  • Diphtheria is a disease caused by a toxin released by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The toxin can cause serious illness if it affects the respiratory system. The skin and other body parts can also be affected. In the United States, diphtheria is rare and is most often associated with international travel or importation.
  • Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It can start with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough. The cough can progress to uncontrollable coughing fits. Some people with pertussis may make a high-pitched whoop sound when they inhale during these coughing fits. Contact a doctor immediately if your child is struggling to breathe.
  • Who should receive vaccination against these diseases? CDC recommends routine Tdap vaccination for all adolescents, with a single dose at age 11–12 years. Children younger than 7 years receive DTaP as a 5-dose series, and people who need catch-up vaccination may receive Tdap or Td according to age and vaccine history.

After receiving Tdap, people generally receive a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years to maintain protection against tetanus and diphtheria.

  • What vaccines are available?
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap): Adacel, Boostrix

What are the potential side effects of vaccines in preteens and adolescents?

Who should not receive vaccines?

What should I do if my child experiences severe or persistent symptoms after receiving a vaccine?